One-time Pro Bowl RB signs with XFL team

Phillip Lindsay has made a few million since the Broncos rescinded his RFA tender in 2021, but the former UDFA success story has not been able to catch on since the successful start to his career. His latest move will be a showcase opportunity in one of this year’s two spring leagues.

The XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons are signing Lindsay, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com. Lindsay, 28, last played for the Colts in the NFL, but the team released the veteran running back from its practice squad in November of last year.

It has been rather surprising to see Lindsay unable to carve out much of a role outside of Denver. The Broncos scrapped their plans at running upon seeing the hometown product’s form during his 2018 rookie season. Lindsay finished his first year with 1,037 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. In 2019, the Colorado alum crossed the 1,000-yard barrier again to become the only UDFA in NFL history to amass back-to-back 1,000-yard years in his first two seasons.

The Broncos’ decision to give Melvin Gordon a two-year, $16M deal in 2020 altered Lindsay’s path. After being rumored to be on Denver’s extension radar, Lindsay struggled through an injury-plagued 2020 slate and was a free agent in 2021. The Texans gave Lindsay a one-year, $3.25M deal shortly after the Broncos rescinded his tender, but the diminutive back averaged only 2.6 yards per carry (50 totes) that year — one he finished with the Dolphins after the Texans waived him. Lindsay totaled 15 carries for the Colts last season.

Three weeks remain in the XFL’s third regular season. This one is on track to finish, after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the league’s second effort three years ago. Lindsay will join ex-NFLers Josh Gordon, Ben DiNucci and others attempting to stand out on the June Jones-coached Sea Dragons in the season’s final weeks.