Gus Edwards (American football)

Augustus Edwards (born 13 April 1995) is a Liberian professional American football running back for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Miami (FL) before transferring to Rutgers and signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2018.[1][2] Edwards' nickname is "Gus the Bus"; he is known for his large size and "bruising" running style.[3]

Gus Edwards
refer to caption
Edwards with the Ravens in 2018
No. 4 – Los Angeles Chargers
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1995-04-13) 13 April 1995 (age 29)
Monrovia, Liberia
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:238 lb (108 kg)
Career information
High school:Tottenville
(Staten Island, New York)
College:Miami (2013–2016)
Rutgers (2017)
Undrafted:2018
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 4, 2024
Rushing yards:3,508
Rushing average:4.8
Rushing touchdowns:26
Receptions:31
Receiving yards:376
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Edwards was born in Liberia during the First Liberian Civil War, which tore the country apart and killed many civilians. Gus moved to the United States at the age of five along with his family.[4] He attended and played high school football at Tottenville High School.[5]

Edwards was named as a three-star recruit by ESPN, 247Sports.com, Rivals.com, and Scout.com.[6]

College career

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Edwards played college football at the University of Miami from 2013–2016 and for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in 2017 as a graduate transfer.[7][8]

College statistics

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Gus Edwards Rushing Receiving
Year School Conf Class Pos G Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds Avg TD
2013 Miami (FL) ACC FR RB 9 66 338 5.1 5 0 0 0 0
2014 Miami (FL) ACC SO RB 10 61 349 5.7 6 2 44 22.0 0
2015 Miami (FL) ACC JR RB Did not play due to injury
2016 Miami (FL) ACC SR RB 10 59 290 4.9 1 1 9 9.0 0
2017 Rutgers Big Ten SR RB 12 164 713 4.3 6 13 103 7.9 1
Career Overall 350 1,690 4.8 18 16 156 9.8 1

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 1 in
(1.85 m)
229 lb
(104 kg)
32+58 in
(0.83 m)
9+18 in
(0.23 m)
4.52 s 1.65 s 2.56 s 4.24 s 7.22 s 34.5 in
(0.88 m)
10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)
17 reps
All values from Pro Day[9]

Baltimore Ravens

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2018

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Edwards signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on 4 May 2018.[10] He was waived on 1 September 2018 and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[11][12] He was promoted to the active roster on 13 October 2018.[13] In Week 6 of the 2018 season, he made his professional debut in the 21–0 victory over the Tennessee Titans. He had 10 carries for 42 yards in the game.[14] In a Week 11 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, he recorded 17 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown.[15]

Edwards joined elite company on 25 November 2018, when he recorded 23 carries for 118 yards in a 34–17 victory over the Oakland Raiders.[16] He became the first Ravens' rookie running back to have back to back 100+ yard rushing games since Jamal Lewis in the 2000 season.[17] He finished the season as the Ravens leading rusher with 718 rushing yards and two touchdowns.[18] He finished fifth among all rookie running backs in rushing yards.[19] In the Wild Card Round against the Los Angeles Chargers, he had 23 rushing yards in his playoff debut, a 23–17 loss.[20]

2019

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In Week 11 against the Houston Texans, Edwards rushed eight times for 112 yards and a touchdown in the 41–7 win.[21] In Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Edwards rushed 21 times for 130 yards during the 28–10 win.[22] In the 2019 season, Edwards finished with 133 carries for 711 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.[23]

2020

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Edwards signed a one-year exclusive-rights free agent tender with the Ravens on 28 July 2020.[24]

In Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys, Edwards rushed for 101 yards on seven carries during the 34–17 win.[25] In Week 14, against the Cleveland Browns, he had seven carries for 49 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the 47–42 victory.[26] In the 2020 season, Edwards played in all 16 games, of which he started six. He finished with 144 carries for 723 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns to go along with nine receptions for 129 receiving yards.[27]

2021

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The Ravens placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Edwards on 10 March 2021.[28] He signed a two-year contract extension with the team worth $10 million on 7 June.[29][30] On 9 September 2021, Edwards suffered a torn ACL during practice ending his season. He was put on injured reserve the following day.[31][32]

2022

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Edwards was placed on the reserve/PUP list to start the season on 23 August 2022.[33] He was activated on 22 October.[34] In his first game back, he scored two rushing touchdowns against the Browns in the 23–20 victory in Week 7.[35] In the 2022 regular season, Edwards played in nine games and started four. He finished with 87 carries for 433 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.[36]

2023

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Edwards started the year second on the depth chart behind J. K. Dobbins, but was swiftly made the lead back after Dobbins tore his Achilles in Week 1's 25–9 win over the Houston Texans.[37] Edwards was used mostly in short yardage and goal-line situation but had numerous career highs by the end of the season. In Week 7 against the Detroit Lions, Edwards had a career-long 80-yard reception (which also gave him a career-high in receiving yards) along with 14 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown in a 38–6 blowout win.[38] His best game came in Week 8, where he had 19 carries for 80 yards and a career-high three touchdowns along with two receptions for 14 yards in a 31–24 win over the Arizona Cardinals.[39] In the next week, Edwards had five carries for 52 yards and two touchdowns in 37–3 rout of the Seattle Seahawks.[40] In Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Edwards had 12 carries for 62 yards and two touchdowns along with two receptions for 8 yards in a 34–20 win.[41] In Week 17 against the Miami Dolphins, Edwards' rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in a 56-19 blowout win.

Edwards' finished the season with career-highs in carries (198), rushing yards (810), rushing touchdowns (13), receptions (12), and receiving yards (180).[42] His 13 rushing touchdowns was the fifth highest of any player that season.[43]

Los Angeles Chargers

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On March 13, 2024, Edwards signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.[44] He entered Week 1 as the starting running back and was splitting time with J. K. Dobbins, but lost the starting role as Dobbins emerged. He was placed on injured reserve on October 12 with an ankle injury.[45] He was activated ahead of Week 10's matchup against Tennessee Titans on November 9.[46]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high
Regular season
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2018 BAL 11 6 137 718 5.2 43 2 2 20 10.0 13 0 0 0
2019 BAL 16 1 133 711 5.3 63T 2 7 45 6.4 10 0 2 1
2020 BAL 16 6 144 723 5.0 36 6 9 129 14.3 34 0 1 1
2021 BAL Did not play due to injury
2022 BAL 9 4 87 433 5.0 37 3 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 1
2023 BAL 17 9 198 810 4.1 42 13 12 180 15.0 80 0 3 2
Career 69 26 699 3,395 4.9 63 26 30 374 12.5 80 0 7 5
Postseason
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2018 BAL 1 1 8 23 2.9 5 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
2019 BAL 1 0 3 20 6.7 19 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
2020 BAL 2 1 18 80 4.4 12 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 0
2022 BAL 1 0 12 39 3.3 9 0 1 13 13.0 13 0 0 0
2023 BAL 2 0 13 60 4.6 15 0 2 15 7.5 16 0 0 0
Career 7 2 54 222 4.1 19 0 3 28 9.3 16 0 1 0

References

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  1. ^ Dunleavy, Ryan (27 February 2017). "Miami graduate transfer RB Gus Edwards commits to Rutgers after blocked from Pitt, Syracuse". NJ.com. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  2. ^ Kratch, James (28 April 2018). "Rutgers' Gus Edwards signs with Ravens as undrafted free agent after NFL Draft". NJ.com. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  3. ^ "Gus Edwards on His 'Gus the Bus' Nickname".
  4. ^ Mink, Ryan (4 July 2021). "Gus Edwards: The American Dream". Baltimore Ravens. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  5. ^ Dowd, Tom (11 July 2012). "Tottenville High School football star Augustus Edwards chooses Syracuse". SILive.com. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  6. ^ "Gus Edwards College Bio". Rutgers University. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  7. ^ "Miami graduate transfer RB Gus Edwards commits to Rutgers after blocked from Pitt, Syracuse". NJ.com. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  8. ^ "Gus Edwards College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  9. ^ "Gus Edwards, Rutgers, RB, 2018 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  10. ^ "Ravens Sign 15 Undrafted Rookie Free Agents". BaltimoreRavens.com. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  11. ^ Mink, Ryan (1 September 2018). "Ravens Make Final Cuts to 53 Players". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  12. ^ Mink, Ryan (2 September 2018). "Ravens Assemble Their 2018 Practice Squad". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  13. ^ Mink, Ryan (13 October 2018). "Ravens Pull Up Running Back Gus Edwards to 53-Man Roster". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  14. ^ "Ravens' Gus Edwards: Posts 42 yards in NFL debut". CBSSports.com. 15 October 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  15. ^ Lee, Edward (18 November 2018). "Rookie running back Gus Edwards excels in Ravens' 24–21 win against Bengals". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  16. ^ Mink, Ryan (25 November 2018). "Gus Edwards Tops 100 Yards Again as Ravens Ground and Pound Raiders". Baltimore Ravens. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  17. ^ Odeniran, Wola (25 November 2018). "Ravens RB Gus Edwards joins elite company in 2nd career start". Ravens Wire. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  18. ^ "2018 Baltimore Ravens Statistics & Players". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  19. ^ "Rookie rushing yard leaders, 2018 NFL season". StatMuse. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  20. ^ "Wild Card – Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore Ravens – January 6th, 2019". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  21. ^ "Ravens harass Watson, beat Texans 41–7 for 6th straight win". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 17 November 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  22. ^ "Despite lacking star power, Ravens beat Steelers 28–10". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 29 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  23. ^ "Gus Edwards 2019 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  24. ^ Brown, Clifton (28 July 2020). "Ravens Re-Sign Offensive Lineman Parker Ehinger". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  25. ^ "Dallas Cowboys at Baltimore Ravens – December 8th, 2020". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  26. ^ "Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns – December 14th, 2020". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  27. ^ "Gus Edwards 2020 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  28. ^ Mink, Ryan (10 March 2021). "Ravens Place Tenders on Gus Edwards and Two Other Free Agents". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  29. ^ Brown, Clifton (7 June 2021). "Ravens Agree to Two-Year Extension With Gus Edwards". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  30. ^ Hensley, Jamison (7 June 2021). "Baltimore Ravens extend RB Gus Edwards on 2-year, $10M deal". ESPN.com. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  31. ^ Patra, Kevin (9 September 2021). "Ravens CB Marcus Peters, RB Gus Edwards suffer torn ACLs in practice". NFL.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  32. ^ Hensley, Jamison (9 September 2021). "Sources: Ravens lose Peters, Edwards for season". ESPN.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  33. ^ Mink, Ryan (23 August 2022). "Gus Edwards Placed on Reserve/PUP, Out At Least Four Games". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  34. ^ Brown, Clifton (22 October 2022). "Ravens Activate Gus Edwards; J.K. Dobbins Placed on Injured Reserve". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  35. ^ "Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens - October 23rd, 2022". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  36. ^ "Gus Edwards 2022 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  37. ^ "Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins suffers torn Achilles in win over Texans". 10 September 2023.
  38. ^ "Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens - October 22nd, 2023". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  39. ^ "Baltimore Ravens at Arizona Cardinals - October 29th, 2023". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  40. ^ "Seattle Seahawks at Baltimore Ravens - November 5th, 2023". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  41. ^ "Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens - November 16th, 2023". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  42. ^ "2023 Baltimore Ravens Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  43. ^ "2023 NFL rushing stats". NFL.com. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  44. ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Agree to Terms with Gus Edwards". Chargers.com. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  45. ^ "Chargers Activate Nick Niemann; Sign Tony Jefferson to Active Roster". Chargers.com. 12 October 2024.
  46. ^ Rhim, Kris (9 November 2024). "Chargers RB Gus Edwards activated off IR, questionable vs. Titans". ESPN.com.
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