Former Nebraska football defensive back Joshua Kalu has a second shot at an NFL career. Just days after Kalu was cut by the Tennessee Titans, the team announced that they signed him to a new deal. Such is life when you're talking about the NFL preseason. There are always quite a few comings and goings this time of year. It's still rather rare to see a team cut a player and then almost immediately pick him back up again. The fact that the Titans did this seems to indicate that they believe that he could earn a spot on the roster moving forward.
Joshua Kalu benefits from flurry of roster moves
According to the Titans' official website, the former Nebraska Football star was claimed on Monday afternoon. It turns out that the team had a roster spot available as they had to place Kalan Reed on the Injured Reserve. While that's bad news for Reed, it could be the opening the former Husker needs to show the team that he can cut it in the NFL. The odds are still long, but the second stint with a team indicates that someone saw something that stuck in their mind when it comes to the defensive back.
Kalu joined the Titans shortly after the NFL Draft as a free agent. He made it through all the offseason camps as someone who was going to at least get a look in the fall, but was cut shortly after the preseason began.
So far, he hasn't managed to get any snaps in a preseason game. That too could change since the Titans have had to place a defensive back on the injured list. Reed makes the total number of Titans who are on the IR six. Safety Johnathan Cyprien, linebacker Nate Palmer, cornerback Tye Smith, defensive lineman Johnny Maxey, and linebacker Gimel President are all sitting out for the remainder of the preseason at least.
Landing on the IR used to be an automatic season-ender, but there have been some rule changes that could allow a player to return at certain points of the regular season if they're able.
Kalu was a standout for the Nebraska football team
With the Nebraska football team, Kalu joined a storied bunch of heavy hitters in the Blackshirts' defensive backfield.
Over the course of his career he played in 48 games, In those games, he totaled seven interceptions and 215 tackles. Over his career, he bounced between cornerback and safety. His best season was his sophomore year.
In 2015, Joshua Kalu recorded 75 tackles, including five for a loss and one sack. He also intercepted three passes for the Nebraska football team.