David Wells (American football)
David Edward Wells (born May 2, 1995) is an American football tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at San Diego State.
No. 89 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers | |||||||
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Position: | Tight end | ||||||
Personal information | |||||||
Born: | Fresno, California, U.S. | May 2, 1995||||||
Height: | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | ||||||
Weight: | 260 lb (118 kg) | ||||||
Career information | |||||||
High school: | Clovis North (Fresno, California) | ||||||
College: | San Diego State (2013–2017) | ||||||
Undrafted: | 2018 | ||||||
Career history | |||||||
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* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||
Roster status: | Active | ||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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Career NFL statistics as of Week 3, 2023 | |||||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
Early years
Wells attended Clovis North High School. He initially played as a quarterback, before being converted into a tight end.
As a senior, he tallied 60 catches for 1,188 yards (19.8-yard avg.) and 10 touchdowns. He contributed to the team winning the 2012 CIF Central Section Division I championship and having a 12-2 record. He received All-league and All-Valley honors.
He also practiced basketball and baseball.
College career
Wells accepted a football scholarship from San Diego State University. As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in 12 games, mostly on special teams, without recording any offensive stats.
As a sophomore, he appeared in 14 games as a backup and special teams player. He was the named the second-string tight end behind Daniel Brunskill after the seventh game of the season. He had 4 receptions for 22 yards.
As a junior, he started in 14 games after Brunskill was converted into a right tackle. He was used mostly as a blocking tight end for a running game spearheaded by Donnel Pumphrey and Rashaad Penny. He registered 25 receptions for 294 yards (11.8-yard avg.), 4 touchdowns, a 2-point conversion reception and a special teams tackle. He had 5 catches for 62 yards and one touchdown against San Jose State University.
As a senior, he started 9 of the 11 games he appeared in, mostly blocking for Penny. He collected 9 receptions for 133 yards (14.8-yard avg.) and 2 touchdowns. He missed the season opener while recovering from a Jones fracture in his foot.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Wells was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2018 NFL Draft on May 1.[1] He was waived on September 1, 2018, as part of final roster cuts.[2]
Kansas City Chiefs
Wells was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad on September 18, 2018.[3] He remained on the practice squad and signed a reserve/futures contract with the team shortly after the season ended. Wells was waived by the Chiefs with an injury designation on August 9, 2019.[4]
New England Patriots
Wells was signed by the New England Patriots to their practice squad on November 10, 2020.[5] He was released on November 16, 2020.[6] Wells was re-signed by the Patriots on July 23, 2021.[7] He was waived on August 15, 2021.[8]
Atlanta Falcons
Wells was signed by the Atlanta Falcons on August 20, 2021.[9] He was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2021, but was signed to the team's practice squad the next day.[10] He was released on September 14, 2021.[11]
Indianapolis Colts
Wells was signed to the Indianapolis Colts practice squad on September 28, 2021.[12] He was released by the Colts on October 5, 2021.[13]
Arizona Cardinals
Wells was signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on October 20, 2021.[14] He was signed to the Cardinals' active roster on November 6, 2021.[15] He was placed on injured reserve on November 11 with a hand injury.[16] He was activated on December 20, then waived the next day and re-signed to the practice squad.[17] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Cardinals on January 19, 2022.[18] He was released on July 29, 2022.[19]
Tennessee Titans
On August 13, 2022, Wells signed with the Tennessee Titans.[20] He was waived on August 30, 2022 and signed to the practice squad the next day.[21][22] He was released on September 1.[23]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On September 14, 2022, Wells was signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad.[24] He was released on September 26, but re-signed on October 19.[25] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 17, 2023.[26]
References
- "Cowboys' David Wells: Signs with Dallas". CBSSports.com. RotoWire. May 1, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- Helman, David (September 1, 2018). "Bailey Not Only Surprise Cut As Cowboys Trim To 53". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- Goldman, Charles (September 18, 2018). "Chiefs add TE David Wells to practice squad, release DB Arrion Springs". Chiefs Wire. USA Today. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- Goldman, Charles (August 9, 2019). "Chiefs waive TE David Wells with injury designation". Chiefs Wire. USA Today. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- O'Malley, Nick (November 10, 2020). "Patriots add 3 tight ends in one day: Jordan Thomas, Dylan Cantrell, David Wells". MassLive.com. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- "Patriots re-sign QB Jake Dolegala to the practice squad; release TE David Wells from the practice squad". Patriots.com. November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- Levin, Jake (July 23, 2021). "Patriots add tight end David Wells to 90-man roster". NBC Sports Boston. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- Mason, Chris (August 15, 2021). "Patriots cut Marvin Hall, Rashod Berry, David Wells ahead of joint practices in Philadelphia". MassLive.com. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- Simmons, Myles (August 20, 2021). "Falcons sign David Wells, place Ryan Becker on IR". Profootballtalk.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- "Falcons sign 15 players to practice squad". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. September 1, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- "David Wells: Loses practice squad spot". CBSSports.com. RotoWire. September 14, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- Arthur, Jake (September 28, 2021). "Colts Sign Two Players to Practice Squad". SI.com. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- "David Wells: Parts ways with Colts". CBSSports.com. RotoWire. October 5, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- "Arizona Cardinals sign TE David Wells to practice squad". ArizonaSports.com. October 20, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- "Cardinals activate Rodney Hudson, make other roster moves before game vs. 49ers". November 6, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- Urban, Darren (November 10, 2021). "Demetrius Harris Activated From Covid List". AZCardinals.com.
- Urban, Darren (December 21, 2021). "Joe Walker Finally Gets Call For 53-Man Roster". AZCardinals.com.
- Urban, Darren (January 19, 2022). "Cardinals Sign 15 Players To 'Futures' Contracts". AZCardinals.com.
- Urban, Darren (July 29, 2022). "Cardinals Sign Veterans Antwaun Woods, Christian Ringo". AZCardinals.com.
- Wyatt, Jim (August 13, 2022). "Titans Add DB Deante Burton, TE David Wells While Waiving Two Others". TennesseeTitans.com.
- Wyatt, Jim (August 30, 2022). "Titans Trim Roster to 53 Players with 29 Roster Moves". TennesseeTitans.com.
- Wyatt, Jim (August 31, 2022). "Titans Add Players to the Team's Practice Squad". TennesseeTitans.com.
- Wyatt, Jim (September 1, 2022). "Titans Add WR Josh Gordon, TE Kevin Rader to the Team's Practice Squad". TennesseeTitans.com.
- Smith, Scott (September 14, 2022). "Updates: Bucs Switch TEs on Practice Squad, Sign David Wells". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved 2022-11-13.
- Smith, Scott (October 19, 2022). "Josh Wells Set to Return to Practice". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved 2022-11-13.
- Smith, Scott (January 17, 2023). "Bucs Re-Sign 13 Practice Squad Players for 2023". Buccaneers.com.