Chris Payton-Jones
American football player (1995–2026)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chris Payton-Jones (August 13, 1995 – April 11, 2026) was an American professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) and United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Gainesville, Florida, U.S.
Payton-Jones with the Tennessee Titans | |||||||
| No. 3, 5, 25, 41, 26, 23, 36 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Cornerback | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born | August 13, 1995 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. | ||||||
| Died | April 11, 2026 (aged 30) Gainesville, Florida, U.S. | ||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school | Sandalwood (Jacksonville) | ||||||
| College | Nebraska (2014–2017) | ||||||
| NFL draft | 2018: undrafted | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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* Offseason or practice squad member only | |||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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College career
Payton-Jones started 26 games for the Cornhuskers over the course of four seasons at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. As a junior, he had 3 interceptions, 10 pass breakups, and 37 tackles (including three for loss), and one sack and was named All-Big Ten honorable mention. Payton-Jones missed the first half of his senior season due to a knee injury, but returned to the field to start the Cornhuskers' last six games.[1][2]
College statistics
Professional career
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Wingspan | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 11+7⁄8 in (1.83 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 32+3⁄4 in (0.83 m) | 9+3⁄4 in (0.25 m) | 6 ft 6+1⁄4 in (1.99 m) | 4.53 s | 1.57 s | 2.65 s | 4.28 s | 6.96 s | 34.5 in (0.88 m) | 10 ft 1 in (3.07 m) | 14 reps |
| All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[3] | ||||||||||||
Detroit Lions (first stint)
Payton-Jones signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2018.[4] Payton-Jones failed to make the Lions' 53-man roster at the end of training camp and was waived by the team on September 1.[5]
Arizona Cardinals
On September 3, 2018, Payton-Jones was signed to the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad.[6] Payton-Jones was promoted to the Cardinals' active roster on November 20,[7] and made his NFL debut on November 25, against the Los Angeles Chargers.[8] He was waived on November 27, and re-signed to the team's practice squad two days later.[9][10] Payton-Jones was promoted to the active roster on December 18.[11]
Payton-Jones made his first career start on September 22, 2019, against the Carolina Panthers.[12] Payton-Jones was waived by the Cardinals on October 9, and was re-signed to the team's practice squad.[13] On November 8, Payton-Jones was again promoted to the active roster.[14]
On September 5, 2020, Payton-Jones was waived during the final roster cuts.[15] He was re-signed to the practice squad a day later.[16]
Detroit Lions (second stint)
On September 16, 2020, Payton-Jones was signed by the Detroit Lions off the Cardinals practice squad.[17] He was waived by the Lions on October 17.[18] Payton-Jones was re-signed by the team on October 21,[19] but was waived again on October 24.[20]
Minnesota Vikings
Payton-Jones was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Vikings on October 26, 2020.[21]
Tennessee Titans
Payton-Jones signed with the Tennessee Titans on April 23, 2021.[22] He was released on September 6, and was re-signed to the team's practice squad.[23][24] Payton-Jones was promoted to the active roster on November 10.[25] He was waived by Tennessee on January 4, 2022, and was re-signed to the practice squad.[26]
Las Vegas Raiders
Payton-Jones signed as a free agent with the Las Vegas Raiders on June 13, 2022.[27] He was released by the Raiders on August 23.[28]
Seattle Sea Dragons
On November 17, 2022, Payton-Jones was drafted by the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL.[29] The Sea Dragons folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL).[30]
St. Louis Battlehawks
On January 5, 2024, Payton-Jones was selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks during the 2024 UFL dispersal draft.[31] He signed with the team on January 29.[32] Payton-Jones re-signed with the team on August 26.[33] He was placed on injured reserve on May 20, 2025.[34]
Payton-Jones announced his retirement from pro football in January 2026.[35]
Death
On April 11, 2026, Payton-Jones died in a car crash in Gainesville, Florida.[36] He was 30 years old.[37]