Ezekiel Turner (born June 9, 1996) is an American professional football linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington Huskies as a defensive back and was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent following the 2018 NFL draft.[1] Turner was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team as a special teamer in the 2018 NFL season.
 Turner during the 2023 NFL season | |||||||||
| No. 47 – Detroit Lions | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | June 9, 1996 Portsmouth, VA, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 225 lb (102 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Glen Burnie (MD) | ||||||||
| College: | Los Angeles Pierce (2014) Washington (2015–2017) | ||||||||
| Undrafted: | 2018 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Roster status: | Active | ||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics as of Week 14, 2024 | |||||||||
| |||||||||
College career
editTurner enrolled at the University of Washington in January 2015 and played as a defensive back for the Washington Huskies his remaining college career.[2] He was named Huskies Special Teams Player of the Week four different times in his college career and selected as the co-winner of the Special Teams MVP in the 2016 season.[2] Turner played 12 of 13 games and started one game in his sophomore season. His first start was against Stanford University, where he had a total of seven tackles.[2]
Tuner played in 13 of 14 games during his junior season in 2016. He had a tackle for loss and had an interception in the 2016 Pac-12 Football Championship Game vs. the Colorado Buffaloes.[2] He was selected as the co-winner of the Special Teams MVP award following his junior season after totaling 23 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss and one forced fumble.[2]
Turner played all 13 games and started three games during his senior season in 2017. He totaled five tackles, including one tackle for a loss, in his season opener against the Rutgers.[2]
Turner totaled six tackles and a 41-yard interception return against the Washington State Cougars in the 110th Annual Apple Cup and was named special teams player of the week.[2]
College statistics
editWashington Huskies
| |||||||||||||||||
| Year | Class | Position | GP | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | Ast | Total | Loss | Sack | Int | Yards | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yards | TD | FF | ||||
| 2015 | Sophomore | DB | 12 | 13 | 9 | 22 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2016 | Junior | DB | 13 | 18 | 5 | 23 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 2017 | Senior | DB | 13 | 40 | 15 | 55 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1 | 41 | 41.0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Career | DB | 38 | 71 | 29 | 100 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 2 | 41 | 41.0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | |||
Source:[3]
Professional career
edit| 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+1⁄2 in (1.87 m) |
212 lb (96 kg) |
31+1⁄2 in (0.80 m) |
9+1⁄4 in (0.23 m) |
4.65 s | 1.58 s | 2.66 s | 4.41 s | 6.95 s | 30.5 in (0.77 m) |
9 ft 5 in (2.87 m) |
19 reps | |
| All values from Pro Day[4] | ||||||||||||
Arizona Cardinals
editTurner signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2018.[5] He played in all 16 games, finished third in the league with 16 total special teams tackles, and was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team as a special teamer.[6]
On September 13, 2020, in the season opener, Turner blocked a punt against San Francisco 49ers' punter Mitch Wishnowsky in the first-quarter. Turner's teammate Dennis Gardeck recovered and advanced the ball five yards to the 49ers' 10-yard line.[7][8] On December 20, 2020, in Week 15, Turner blocked a punt against Philadelphia Eagles' punter Cameron Johnston in the first-quarter. The ball bounced out of bounds at the Eagles' 6-yard line, which ended the Eagles' drive on a turnover on downs. In the fourth-quarter, on fourth-and-2, Turner caught a 26-yard reception from his punter Andy Lee on a successful fake punt resulting in a first-down for the Cardinals.[9]
The Cardinals placed a restricted free agent tender on Turner on March 15, 2021.[10] He signed the one-year contract on April 19.[11] He was placed on injured reserve on October 13, 2021, with a shoulder injury.[12] He was activated on January 17, 2022.[13]
On March 18, 2022, Turner re-signed with the Cardinals.[14]
On March 15, 2023, Turner signed a one-year contract extension with the Cardinals.[15]
San Francisco 49ers
editOn March 20, 2024, Turner signed with the San Francisco 49ers.[16] He was released on August 14.[17]
Houston Texans
editOn August 28, 2024, Turner was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad.[18] He was released on October 1.
Seattle Seahawks
editOn October 8, 2024, Turner was signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad.[19] He was released on October 25.
Detroit Lions
editOn November 6, 2024, Turner was signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad, and promoted to the active roster on November 16.
Professional statistics
edit| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
Regular season
edit| Career statistics | Games | Tackles | Snaps | Receiving | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GP | GS | Total | Solo | Ast | Def. | Pct | ST | Pct | Tgt | Rec | Yds |
| 2018 | ARI | 16 | 1 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 18 | 2% | 347 | 80% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | ARI | 12 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 4 | <1% | 293 | 62% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | ARI | 16 | 0 | 14 | 4 | 10 | 6 | <1% | 348 | 79% | 1 | 1 | 26 |
| 2021 | ARI | 5 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2% | 95 | 68% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | ARI | 15 | 1 | 22 | 12 | 10 | 107 | 11% | 328 | 81% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | ARI | 16 | 1 | 20 | 8 | 12 | 50 | 5% | 345 | 83% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 80 | 3 | 83 | 45 | 38 | 190 | — | 1,756 | — | 1 | 1 | 26 | |
References
edit- ^ "Undrafted Washington safety Ezekiel Turner (Glen Burnie) signs with Cardinals".
- ^ a b c d e f g "Washington Huskies". Washington Huskies. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "Washington Huskies". Washington Huskies. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
- ^ "2018 Draft Scout Ezekiel Turner, Washington NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ^ Urban, Darren (April 30, 2018). "Cardinals Bring In 24 Undrafted Rookies". AZCardinals.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
- ^ "2018 NFL All-Rookie Team". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ Williams, Charean (September 13, 2020). "Cardinals get blocked punt, fourth-down stop of 49ers to stay close". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ "Punt block awakens Cardinals after slow start in first half vs. 49ers". Arizona Sports. September 13, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ "Ezekiel Turner Proves Special In Close Win Over Eagles". www.azcardinals.com. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ Urban, Darren (March 15, 2021). "Cardinals Extend Tender Offers To Dennis Gardeck, Ezekiel Turner". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ Urban, Darren (April 19, 2021). "Ezekiel Turner Signs Tender Offer To Stay With Cardinals". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
- ^ Urban, Darren (October 13, 2021). "Maxx Williams Placed On Injured Reserve In Flurry Of Moves". AZCardinals.com.
- ^ Urban, Darren (January 17, 2022). "Watt A Comeback: Cardinals Officially Activate J.J. Watt". AZCardinals.com.
- ^ "Cardinals Agree With Linebacker Ezekiel Turner On New Contract". AZCardinals.com. March 18, 2022.
- ^ Urban, Darren (March 15, 2023). "Cardinals Re-Sign Will Hernandez, Ezekiel Turner". AZCardinals.com.
- ^ "49ers Sign LB Ezekiel Turner to a One-Year Deal". 49ers.com. March 20, 2024.
- ^ "49ers Sign Defensive Lineman, Release a Linebacker". 49ers.com. August 14, 2024.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (08-28-2024)". HoustonTexans.com. August 28, 2024.
- ^ Boyle, John (October 8, 2024). "Seahawks Sign LB Ezekiel Turner To Practice Squad". Seahawks.com.