Darron Lee

Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Lee moved to New Albany, Ohio during his sixth grade and attended New Albany High School, where he played as a quarterback, wide receiver, safety, and return specialist and led his team to an appearance in the state semifinals as a senior, where they lost to Trotwood-Madison High School, 33–32. In his junior year, Lee helped the Eagles compile a 9–3 record, as the regional semifinalist also captured the Ohio Capital Conference title. As a senior, Lee concentrated on quarterback and secondary duties, helping lead the Eagles to an 11–3 record, including a 7–0 mark as the Division II State Final Four choice captured the regional and Ohio Capital Conference titles. He was named first-team Associated Press Division II All-state as he accounted for over 1,700 yards of offense and 21 touchdowns and recorded five interceptions.

Lee also competed for both the Eagles’ indoor and outdoor track & field teams. During the 2012 indoor season, he had a personal-best 7.23-second clocking in the 60-meter dash and also had a 5’10” (1.78m) high jump at the OSU Buckeye Qualifier Meet.{{cite web|url=http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/MeetResults.aspx?Meet=143912#7760|title=OSU Buckeye Qualifier #1 - Track & Field Meet|work=Athletic.net}} Performing for the outdoor team, he captured the 200-meter title with a 22.21-second clocking and was a member of the 4x400 relay team that took gold with a time of 3:24.53 at the District Running Event;{{cite web|url=http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/MeetResults.aspx?Meet=164500#7760|title=District Running Event Prelims - Track & Field Meet|work=Athletic.net}} he also had a season-best 43.52-second run as a member of the 4x100 relay team that finished third at the Stingel Invitational.{{cite web|url=http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/MeetResults.aspx?Meet=159762#7760|title=Stingel Invitational - Track & Field Meet|work=Athletic.net}} In order to concentrate on offseason football training, Lee was limited during the 2013 indoor season. For the outdoor team in 2013, he finished third in the 100 meters with a personal-best time of 11.06 seconds at the Central District III Meet.{{cite web|url=http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/MeetResults.aspx?Meet=196175#7760|title=Central District 3 D1 Finals - Track & Field Meet|work=Athletic.net}}

Lee was rated by Rivals.com as a three-star recruit. He was also rated the 29th-best safety in the nation and received four-star status from Scout.com, while ESPN rated him the 28th-best overall player in the state of Ohio.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Darron-Lee-114670|title=Rivals}} On May 26, Lee committed to Ohio State University to play college football.{{Cite web |date=June 26, 2012 |title=Darron Lee commits to Buckeyes |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/colleges/osu/post/_/id/388/new-albanys-darron-lee-commits-to-buckeyes |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=ESPN.com}}{{cite web|url=http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2012/06/27/new-albanys-lee-commits-to-2013-class.html|title=Ohio State football: New Albany's Lee commits to 2013 class|author=Bill Rabinowitz|work=Buckeye Xtra Sports|access-date=January 13, 2015|archive-date=November 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117073144/http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2012/06/27/new-albanys-lee-commits-to-2013-class.html|url-status=dead}}

Lee played in two games as a true freshman in 2013 before suffering an injury, which caused him to receive a medical redshirt. Prior to his redshirt freshman season in 2014, Lee switched to linebacker and became a starter.{{cite web|url=http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2014/09/04/lee-makes-big-first-impression-as-starter.html|title=Ohio State football: Darron Lee makes big first impression as starter|author=Bill Rabinowitz|work=Buckeye Xtra Sports|access-date=January 13, 2015|archive-date=December 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227060833/http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2014/09/04/lee-makes-big-first-impression-as-starter.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2014/08/12/lee-is-up-to-speed-at-new-linebacker-position.html|title=Ohio State football: Darron Lee up to speed at new linebacker position|author=Tim May|work=Buckeye Xtra Sports|access-date=January 13, 2015|archive-date=May 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522131013/http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2014/08/12/lee-is-up-to-speed-at-new-linebacker-position.html|url-status=dead}}[http://www.madison-press.com/news/sports/50494103/Buckeyes-Lee-finds-home-at-linebacker Buckeyes’ Lee finds home at linebacker] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522020024/http://www.madison-press.com/news/sports/50494103/Buckeyes-Lee-finds-home-at-linebacker |date=May 22, 2015 }} He was named the Defensive MVP of the 2015 Sugar Bowl after he recorded seven tackles and two sacks.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/113862/buckeyes-hit-the-jackpot-with-darron-lee|title=Buckeyes hit the jackpot with Darron Lee|work=ESPN.com|date=January 5, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/sports/college-football/hard-work-pays-off-for-sugar-bowl-mvp-lee/njhnc/|title=Hard work pays off for Sugar Bowl MVP Lee|author=David Jablonski - Staff Writer}}

On January 2, 2016, Lee announced his decision to forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2016 NFL draft through a statement released via Twitter.{{cite web |title=Ohio State linebacker Darron Lee declares for NFL draft |url=https://www.si.com/college-football/2016/01/02/ohio-state-buckeyes-darron-lee-declares-nfl-draft |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=SI.com |date=January 2, 2016}} Prior to the NFL Combine, the majority of NFL draft experts and scouts projected Lee to be a mid-to-late first round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/mock-drafts/bucky-brooks/290603|title=Mock draft 2.0: Texans pluck QB Wentz|work=NFL.com|first=Bucky|last=Brooks|date=Feb 22, 2016|access-date=February 29, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/mock-drafts/daniel-jeremiah/290600|title=Mock draft 2.0: 49ers land Goff|work=NFL.com|first=Daniel|last=Jeremiah|date=Feb 16, 2016|access-date=February 29, 2016}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/mock-drafts/charles-davis/290604|title=Mock draft 1.0: 'Boys boost D with Bosa|work=NFL.com|first=Charles|last=Davis|date=Feb 22, 2016|access-date=February 29, 2016}} At the NFL scouting combine, Lee solidified his position as a potential first round pick by putting up solid numbers in the combine drills. He finished first among all linebackers in the 40-yard dash and broad jump, finished third among linebackers in the short shuttle, and finished fifth among linebackers in the vertical jump.{{cite web |title=2016 NFL Combine results: Ohio State's Darron Lee blows away the field |url=https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2016/2/28/11129752/nfl-combine-results-2016-linebackers-40-yard-dash |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=SBNation.com |author=Stites, Adam |date=February 28, 2016}} His time of 4.43s in the 40-yard dash was the fastest 40 time by a linebacker in nine years and was also better than Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott and wide receiver Braxton Miller. Lee's 11’1” broad jump was the third best performance by a linebacker since 2006.{{cite web |title=NFL Combine 2016: Ohio State's Darron Lee, with 4.43 40, blazes path as modern NFL linebacker |url=https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2016/02/nfl_combine_2016_ohio_states_d.html |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=Cleveland.com |date=February 29, 2016}}

{{external media

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[http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap3000000639825/Combine-workout-Darron-Lee Darron Lee’s NFL Combine Workout]

| video2 =

[http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap3000000639781/Darron-Lee-40-yard-dash Darron Lee runs the 40-yard dash]

| video3 =

[http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-path-to-the-draft/0ap3000000643593/Joey-Bosa-and-Darron-Lee-at-Ohio-State-s-pro-day Darron Lee at Ohio State’Pro Day]

}}

On March 11, 2016, Lee participated at Ohio State's pro day, but opted to stand on his combine numbers and only performed positional drills. He attended pre-draft visits with multiple teams, including the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, and Minnesota Vikings.{{cite web |title=Updated list of Bears draft prospect visits |url=https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2016/4/18/11450662/updated-list-chicago-bears-2016-nfl-draft-prospect-visits |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=windycitygridiron.com |author=Householder, Sam |date=April 18, 2016}}{{cite web |title=Darron Lee to visit Buffalo Bills pre-2016 NFL Draft |url=https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2016/3/28/11321446/darron-lee-buffalo-bills-pre-draft-visitors-2016 |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=BuffaloRumblings.com |author=Galliford, Mark |date=March 27, 2016}} At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Lee was projected to be a first round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the second best outside linebacker prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com, was ranked the third best linebacker by NFL analyst Mike Mayock, and was ranked the fourth best linebacker in the draft by Sports Illustrated, NFL analyst Bucky Brooks, and ESPN.{{cite web |title=Mike Mayock's 2016 NFL Draft position rankings 5.0 |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000656285/article/mike-mayocks-2016-nfl-draft-position-rankings-50 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428120518/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000656285/article/mike-mayocks-2016-nfl-draft-position-rankings-50 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 28, 2016 |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=NFL.com |author=Mayock, Mike |date=April 27, 2016}}{{cite web |title=2016 NFL draft position rankings |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/04/12/nfl-draft-2016-position-rankings-players-prospects |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=si.com |author=Burke, Chris |date=April 12, 2016}}{{cite web |title=Top five 2016 NFL Draft prospects by position |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/top-five-2016-nfl-draft-prospects-by-position-0ap3000000630101 |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=NFL.com |author=Brooks, Bucky}}{{cite web |title=Ranking the draft's top 100 players |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2016/story/_/id/15290519/ranking-top-100-players-available-2016-nfl-draft |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=ESPN.com |author=Legwold, Jeff |date=April 25, 2016}}

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 0 3/4

| weight = 232

| dash = 4.47

| ten split = 1.55

| twenty split = 2.60

| shuttle = 4.20

| cone drill = 7.12

| vertical = 35.5

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| arm span = 33 1/4

| hand span = 9 3/4

| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/darron-lee/32004c45-4514-4802-9b7c-3886a8190313 |title=Darron Lee Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=March 13, 2023}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=127564&DraftYear=2016 |title=2016 Draft Scout Darron Lee, Ohio State NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |access-date=May 16, 2019 |website=draftscout.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2016/04/wonderlic-test-scores-defensive-lineman-linebackers-2016-nfl-draft/|title=Wonderlic Test scores for DL and LBS entering the Draft; Nkemdiche doubled Buckner's score|date=April 26, 2016}}

}}

The Jets selected Lee in the first round (20th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.{{Cite web |title=2016 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2016/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} Lee was the second linebacker drafted in 2016, behind Georgia outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (9th overall).{{cite news|title=NFL draft: Results, analysis for every Round 1 pick|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2016/story/_/id/15386713/nfl-draft-2016-results-tracker-analysis-picks-live-order|access-date=April 29, 2016|work=ESPN.com|date=April 29, 2016}} On July 27, 2016, the Jets signed Lee to a four-year, $10.22 million contract that includes $7.92 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $5.63 million.{{cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Darron Lee contract |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-york-jets/darron-lee-18968/ |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=Spotrac.com}}

{{external media

| video1 =

[http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap3000000657224/Jets-pick-Darron-Lee-No-20 Jets draft Darron Lee 20th overall]

| video2 =

[http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-first-draft/0ap3000000651502/First-Draft-Darron-Lee First Draft: Ohio State LB Darron Lee]

}}

Throughout training camp, Lee competed to be a starting inside linebacker against established veteran Erin Henderson.{{cite web |title=Why Jets' Erin Henderson decided to help Darron Lee instead of ignore him |url=https://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/07/why_jets_erin_henderson_decided_to_help_darron_lee.html |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=NJ.com |date=July 1, 2016}} Head coach Todd Bowles named Lee a backup inside linebacker to begin the regular season, behind starters David Harris and Erin Henderson.{{cite web |title=New York Jets 2016 Final 53 Man Roster |url=https://www.ganggreennation.com/2016/9/3/12785942/new-york-jets-2016-final-53-man-roster |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=ganggreennation.com |date=September 3, 2016}}

He made his professional regular season debut in the Jets’ season-opener against the Cincinnati Bengals and recorded six combined tackles in their 23–22 loss. Lee received more snaps (36) than starting inside linebacker Erin Henderson (21) in the season-opener, although head coach Todd Bowles maintained that Lee would remain a backup.{{cite web |title=Darron Lee Got More Snaps Than Erin Henderson for Jets vs. Bengals |url=https://www.ganggreennation.com/2016/9/12/12887126/darron-lee-got-more-snaps-than-erin-henderson-for-jets-vs-bengals |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=ganggreennation.com|date=September 12, 2016 }} The following week, Lee earned his first career start after Erin Henderson sustained a foot injury.{{cite web |title=Jets' Brandon Marshall "fine" after scary-looking knee twist |url=https://apnews.com/ff29bb10901a41c68ce5176f29d5ca1b |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=APNews.com |author=Waszak, Dennis| date=September 16, 2016}} Lee finished the Jets’ 37–31 win at the Bills with five combined tackles in Week 2. On September 25, 2016, Lee recorded six combined tackles and was credited with half a sack during a 24–3 loss at the Kansas City Chiefs in a Week 3. In Week 6, Lee suffered an ankle injury during the Jets’ 28–3 loss at the Arizona Cardinals and was inactive for the next three games (Weeks 7–9).{{cite web |title=Darron Lee Injury: Updates on Jets LB's Ankle and Return |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2650422-darron-lee-injury-updates-on-jets-lbs-ankle-and-return |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=bleacherreport.com |author=Rapp, Timothy}} In Week 12, Lee collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (five solo) and broke up a pass during a 22–17 loss to the New England Patriots.{{cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Darron Lee (2016) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/darronlee/2555322/gamelogs?season=2016 |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=NFL.com}} He finished his rookie season in 2016 with 73 combined tackles (45 solo), three pass deflections, and one sack in 13 games and nine starts.{{cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Darron Lee (Career) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/darronlee/2555322/careerstats |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=NFL.com}} Lee started six consecutive games to end the season after Erin Henderson was placed on the Non-Football Injury list on October 22, 2016, and remained inactive for the remainder of the season.{{cite web |title=New York Jets to place Erin Henderson on NFI list |url=https://247sports.com/nfl/new-york-jets/article/new-york-jets-to-place-erin-henderson-on-nfi-list-48457694/| access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=247Sports.com |author=Parks, James |date=October 22, 2016}} Lee received an overall grade of 38.8 from Pro Football Focus and was the lowest graded rookie linebacker in the league due to his inability to handle pass coverage.{{cite web |title=How all 31 first-round picks have played this season |url=https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-how-every-2016-first-round-pick-has-played-this-season |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=ProFootballFocus.com |author=Monson, Sam |date=December 28, 2016}}

Lee entered training camp slated as a starting inside linebacker after the Jets opted not to re-sign Erin Henderson. Head coach Todd Bowles named Lee and Demario Davis the starting inside linebackers to begin the regular season, alongside outside linebackers Jordan Jenkins and Josh Martin.{{cite web |title=Here's the depth chart for the 2017 New York Jets |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nfl/jets/2017/09/09/heres-depth-chart-2017-new-york-jets/648714001/ |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=NorthJersey.com |date=September 9, 2017}}

He started in the Jets’ season-opener at the Bills and recorded ten combined tackles (seven solo), one pass deflection, and made his first career solo sack during a 21–12 loss. Lee made his first solo sack on Bills’ quarterback Tyrod Taylor in the first quarter.{{cite web |title=NFL Game Center: Week 1-2017: New York Jets at Buffalo Bills |url=https://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2017091000/2017/REG1/jets@bills |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=NFL.com}} During the game, he was penalized for a late hit on Bills’ center Eric Wood and was subsequently fined $9,115 and also received a fine of $36,464 for a roughing the passer penalty on Dolphins’ quarterback Jay Cutler. In Week 7, he collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (nine solo) during a 31–28 loss at the Miami Dolphins. On December 3, 2017, Lee was suspended by head coach Todd Bowles for one-game for being late to practice. He was suspended for the Jets’ Week 13 victory at the Chiefs.{{cite web|last1=Patra|first1=Kevin|title=Jets scratch LB Darron Lee for 'violating team rules'|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jets-scratch-lb-darron-lee-for-violating-team-rules-0ap3000000886344|publisher=NFL|access-date=December 3, 2017}} Lee's second season was marred by fines, which totaled $72,965. He received two fines for roughing the passer penalties that were both on Jay Cutler against the Dolphins and also received a fine for an excessive face mask and a late hit.{{cite web |title=Jets linebacker Darron Lee fined twice for infractions against Dolphins |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2017/10/27/jets-linebacker-darron-lee-fined-twice-infractions-against-dolphins/808259001/ |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=usatoday.com |date=October 27, 2017}} He finished the season with 94 combined tackles (67 solo), three pass deflections, and three sacks in 15 games and 15 starts. Pro Football Focus gave Lee an overall grade of 34.9 in 2017 and ranked 87th out of 88 qualifying linebackers.{{cite web |title=15 most overrated NFL players last season |url=http://larrybrownsports.com/football/15-most-overrated-nfl-players-2017/422686 |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=larrybrownsports.com |date=February 26, 2018 |author=Benton, Dan}}{{cite web |title=Despite improvement, Steelers' Sean Spence rates as NFL's worst linebacker |url=https://triblive.com/sports/steelers/13196148-74/despite-improvement-sean-spence-rates-as-nfls-worst-linebacker |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=TribLive.com |date=January 18, 2018}}

Lee entered camp as a starting inside linebacker and was named the starter to begin the regular season. He began the season alongside Avery Williamson and starting outside linebackers Josh Martin and Jordan Jenkins.{{cite web |title=The 2018 Jets Opening Day Depth Chart |url=https://www.ganggreennation.com/2018/9/4/17810946/the-2018-jets-opening-day-depth-chart |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=ganggreennation.com |date=September 3, 2018}}

He started in the Jets’ season-opener at the Detroit Lions and recorded seven combined tackles, a career-high three pass deflections, made two interceptions, and returned one for his first career touchdown in during their 48–17 victory. Lee made his first career interception off a pass attempt by Lions’ quarterback Matthew Stafford, that was originally intended for running back Theo Riddick, and returned it for a 36-yard touchdown in the third quarter.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-lions-1.20938706 |title=Darron Lee gets two of the Jets' five interceptions |work=Newsday |access-date=October 3, 2018 |language=en}} On December 7, Lee was suspended four games due to a PED violation.{{cite web|title=Jets' Darron Lee suspended four games by NFL|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jets-darron-lee-suspended-four-games-by-nfl-0ap3000000996946|website=NFL.com|date=December 7, 2018}}

On May 3, 2019, the Jets declined the fifth-year option on Lee's contract, making him a free agent in 2020.{{cite web|title=Jets decline Darron Lee's fifth year option|url=https://www.ganggreennation.com/2019/5/3/18528717/jets-decline-darron-lees-fifth-year-option|work=Gang Green Nation|date=May 3, 2019}}

On May 15, 2019, the Jets traded Lee to the Chiefs for a 2020 sixth round draft pick.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001031000/article/gases-1st-move-jets-trade-lb-darron-lee-to-chiefs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516022508/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001031000/article/gases-1st-move-jets-trade-lb-darron-lee-to-chiefs |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 16, 2019 |title=Gase's 1st move: Jets trade LB Darron Lee to Chiefs |last=Gordon |first=Grant |date=May 15, 2019 |website=NFL.com |access-date=July 1, 2019}} Lee was a member of the Super Bowl LIV winning Chiefs, who defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31–20, though he was inactive for the game itself.{{Cite web|url=https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58167/KC_Gamebook.pdf|title=Super Bowl LIV Game Summary|access-date=April 25, 2020|archive-date=February 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203040736/https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58167/KC_Gamebook.pdf|url-status=dead}}

After becoming a free agent in March 2020, Lee was suspended for the first four weeks of the 2020 NFL season on September 10, 2020.{{cite news |author=Phillips, Gary |title=Ex-Jets LB Darron Lee suspended again |url=https://jetswire.usatoday.com/2020/09/11/new-york-jets-darron-lee-suspended-again-chiefs-nfl-free-agency/ |website=USAToday.com |date=September 11, 2020 |access-date=September 25, 2020}} He was reinstated from suspension on October 6, 2020.{{cite news |title=Darron Lee: Finishes suspension |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/darron-lee-finishes-suspension/ |website=CBSSports.com |date=October 6, 2020 |access-date=October 26, 2020}}

On November 2, 2020, Lee was signed to the Bills practice squad.{{cite web|title=BIlls sign LB Darron Lee to the practice squad|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-lb-darron-lee-to-the-practice-squad|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=November 2, 2020}} He was elevated to the active roster on November 14 and November 28 for the team's weeks 10 and 12 games against the Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.{{cite news |title=Josh Norman tests positive for COVID-19, 3 other players placed on reserve/COVID-19 list |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/josh-norman-tests-positive-for-covid-19-3-other-players-placed-on-reserve-covid- |website=BuffaloBills.com |date=November 14, 2020 |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-date=December 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220090856/https://www.buffalobills.com/news/josh-norman-tests-positive-for-covid-19-3-other-players-placed-on-reserve-covid- |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=John Brown, Cody Ford placed on injured reserve; Two elevated for Sunday |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/john-brown-cody-ford-placed-on-injured-reserve-two-elevated-for-sunday |website=BuffaloBills.com |date=November 28, 2020 |access-date=January 5, 2021}} His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on February 1, 2021.{{cite news |title=Buffalo parts with four players |url=https://www.fantasyguru.com/bills-buffalo-parts-with-four-players/ |website=FantasyGuru.com |date=February 1, 2021 |access-date=February 19, 2021}}

On June 17, 2021, Lee signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.{{cite news |title=Raiders add CB De'Vante Bausby and LB Darron Lee |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-add-cb-de-vante-bausby-and-lb-darron-lee-2021 |website=Raiders.com |date=June 17, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200618/https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-add-cb-de-vante-bausby-and-lb-darron-lee-2021 |url-status=dead }} He was placed on injured reserve on August 24, 2021.{{cite web|title=Raiders trim roster to 80-player limit before preseason finale|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-roste-moves-80-man-limit-before-nfl-preseason-finale-2021|website=Raiders.com|date=August 24, 2021}} He was released on August 30.

On June 4, 2017, Lee was involved in a verbal altercation with a woman at the Governors Ball Music Festival on Randall's Island. Leonard Williams had pulled Lee away from the fracas, and restrained him.{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Paul |date=June 4, 2017 |title=Darron Lee reportedly in altercation at music fest |url=https://nypost.com/2017/06/04/jets-darron-lee-reportedly-in-altercation-at-music-fest/ |access-date=June 4, 2017 |publisher=NY Post}}{{Cite web |last=Cimini |first=Rich |date=June 6, 2017 |title=NFL investigating incident involving Jets' Darron Lee, Leonard Williams |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/nfl-investigating-incident-involving-jets-darron-lee-leonard/story?id=47873908 |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=ABC News |publisher=NFL |language=en}} On June 26, 2023, an arrest warrant was issued for Lee when he didn't show up for a court appearance.{{Cite web |last=Wise |first=John P. |date=June 26, 2023 |title=Arrest warrant issued for former OSU football star |url=https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/darron-lee-osu-ohio-state-buckeyes-college-football-linebacker-arrest-warrant-former-star |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=ABC6}}

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Category:1994 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from New Albany, Ohio

Category:Players of American football from Ohio

Category:American football linebackers

Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football players

Category:New York Jets players

Category:Kansas City Chiefs players

Category:Buffalo Bills players

Category:Las Vegas Raiders players