Sal Cannella (American football)

Salvatore Cannella (born December 2, 1996) is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He played for Auburn in college, and was signed to both the Green Bay Packers' and Miami Dolphins' practice squads following and before a stint with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL, before eventually joining the Arlington Renegades,[1] with who he won the 2023 XFL Championship Game with.

Sal Cannella
refer to caption
Cannella with the Renegades in 2023
Personal information
Born: (1996-12-02) December 2, 1996
Schaumburg, Illinois, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:242 lb (110 kg)
Career information
High school:St Viator
(Arlington Heights, Illinois)
College:Auburn
Position:Tight end
Undrafted:2020
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early life

Cannella was born in Schaumburg, Illinois, but grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona. He reportedly did not play football his junior year at high school, in order to focus on basketball.[2]

Professional career

Cannella was an undrafted free agent exiting the 2020 NFL Draft, and did not sign with a team.[1]

TSL Generals

Cannella played in the 2020 The Spring League Fall season for the TSL Generals.[3] He was a key part of the Generals championship winning team in 2020, and as a result earned a workout with the Indianapolis Colts.[4][5] However, Cannella did not sign, and returned to the Generals for the 2021 The Spring League season.[4] Following the season, he was invited to a mini-camp held by the Chicago Bears but did not sign.[1][6]

Miami Dolphins

On August 2, 2021, Cannella signed with the Miami Dolphins, and spent four days on the roster before being cut.[1][7][8]

New Orleans Breakers

Cannella was drafted number 2 overall in the tight end's phase of the 2022 USFL draft by the New Orleans Breakers.[9] During the season, Cannella accumulated 34 receptions for 368 yards, with two touchdowns, and was named to the All-USFL Team.[10]

Green Bay Packers

On July 20, 2022, the Green Bay Packers announced that they had signed Sal Cannella.[11][12] Cannella was cut by the team on August 16, 2022.[13]

Arlington Renegades

Cannella was drafted 7th overall in the Skill Positions Phase of the 2023 XFL Draft by the Arlington Renegades.[14] He was the first tight end selected.[14] During the regular season, he was targeted 63 times and made 42 receptions for 415 yards.[15] He was the Renegades' leading receiver, and was also 2nd among receiving yards for tight ends, behind only Cody Latimer.[15] He later won the 2023 XFL Championship Game with the Renegades.[16]

Seattle Seahawks

On August 21, 2023, Canella signed with the Seattle Seahawks.[17] He was waived on August 27.[18]

On October 10, 2023, the Minnesota Vikings hosted Cannella for a workout, but no deal was reached.[19]

References
  1. "What to know about new Packers TE Sal Cannella". Archived from the original on July 29, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  2. Blum, Sam (July 26, 2019). "Inside the crazy story of how Sal Cannella got to Auburn". al.
  3. Martorano, Dion (2020-11-10). "Generals' Cannella, James, Dennis Battle in The Spring League – Journal & Topics Media Group". Journal & Topics Media Group – Journal & Topics Media Group | Serving Chicago's Great Northwest Suburbs. Archived from the original on 2020-11-10. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  4. Inabinett, Mark (2021-05-06). "Football returns on Thursday with the Spring League". al. Archived from the original on 2023-04-25. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  5. "Colts held tryout for TE Sal Cannella". Colts Wire. 2021-03-30. Archived from the original on 2023-02-03. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  6. Farner, Keith (2021-08-02). "Former Auburn TE Sal Cannella lands with new NFL team". Saturday Down South. Archived from the original on 2022-06-26. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  7. "Former Auburn TE Sal Cannella signs with the Miami Dolphins". Auburn Wire. 2021-08-02. Archived from the original on 2022-12-07. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  8. Schad, Joe (@schadjoe). "Dolphins sign TEs Sal Cannella and Kalif Jackson." 2 August 2021, 10:54 a.m. Tweet.
  9. "USFL 2022 Draft Results". USFL Newsroom. Archived from the original on 2023-03-15. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  10. Hill, Kassidy. "Green Bay Packers sign USFL standout tight end Sal Cannella before training camp begins". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on 2022-08-03. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  11. "Former Auburn TE Sal Cannella gets shot with Green Bay Packers after USFL success". CBS 42. 2022-08-04. Archived from the original on 2022-08-18. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  12. Huber, Bill (21 July 2022). "Packers Sign Tight End Sal Cannella". Sport Illustrated. Archived from the original on 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  13. "Packers cut five players, including TE Dafney". www.ballysports.com. Archived from the original on 2023-05-01. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  14. "XFL Draft Tracker". XFL Newsroom. Archived from the original on 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  15. "XFL Player Stats". www.xfl.com. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  16. "Sal Cannella Heads To XFL Championship With Stunning Upset – Journal & Topics Media Group". Journal & Topics Media Group – Journal & Topics Media Group | Serving Chicago's Great Northwest Suburbs. May 2, 2023.
  17. "Arlington Renegades TE SAL Cannella Signs with Seattle Seahawks". OurSports Central. 2023-08-21. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  18. "Seahawks Waive Seven Players". Seahawks.com. August 27, 2023.
  19. "Vikings Work Out QB Colt McCoy, 7 Others on Tuesday". si.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
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