Jared Pinkney
{{Short description|American football player (born 1997)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Jared Pinkney
| image =
| caption =
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Tight end
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|8|21}}
| birth_place = Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lb = 257
| high_school = Norcross (GA)
| college = Vanderbilt (2015–2019)
| undraftedyear = 2020
| pastteams =
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2020}})
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
- Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2021}})
- Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|2022}})
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
| status =
| highlights =
- Second-team All-SEC (2018)
| statleague =
| statseason =
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 1
| statlabel2 =
| statvalue2 =
| statlabel3 =
| statvalue3 =
| pfr = P/PinkJa02
}}
Jared Pinkney (born August 21, 1997) is an American professional football tight end. He played college football at Vanderbilt and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons in 2020. He played for the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Rams
Early life
Pinkney grew up in Norcross, Georgia, and attended Norcross High School. As a senior, he caught 32 passes for 480 yards and three touchdowns and was named first-team All-region and honorable mention All-State.{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/nebraska/Article/Jared-Pinkney-to-take-first-official-visit-105156158/|title=Jared Pinkney to take first official visit|first=Bryan|last=Munson|website=247Sports.com|date=November 20, 2014}} Rated a consensus three-star recruit, Pinkney committed to play college football at Vanderbilt over offers from Nebraska, Miami, Florida, and Missouri.{{cite web|url=https://www.anchorofgold.com/2015/1/21/7867369/2015-ncaa-recruiting-three-star-wr-jared-pinkney-picks-vanderbilt|title=6'4", 220 LB Receiving Recruit Jared Pinkney Picks Vanderbilt|first=Christian|last=D'Andrea|website=AnchorOfGold.com|publisher=SB Nation|date=January 21, 2015|access-date=November 9, 2019}}
College career
Pinkney used a medical redshirt as a true freshman after suffering an injury in the season opener. He was named to Athlon Sports' Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman team after catching 22 passes for 274 receiving yards and two touchdowns and posted 22 receptions, 273 receiving yards and three touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/vanderbilt-places-three-on-the-athlon-sec-all-freshman-team/|title=Vanderbilt places three on the Athlon SEC All-Freshman team|first=Jesse|last=Johnson|website=CBSSports.com|date=December 9, 2016|access-date=November 2, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.anchorofgold.com/2018/7/31/17630830/2018-vanderbilt-football-position-previews-tight-end-jared-pinkney-sam-dobbs|title=Vanderbilt uses its tight ends a lot, or so they say|first=Tom|last=Stephenson|website=AnchorOfGold.com|publisher=SB Nation|date=July 31, 2018|access-date=November 2, 2019}} He entered his redshirt junior season on the watchlist for the John Mackey Award.{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/vanderbilt/Article/Jared-Pinkney-named-to-John-Mackey-preseason-watchlist--119962926/|title=Pinkney named to Mackey Award Watchlist|website=247Sports.com|date=July 20, 2018}} Pinkney finished the season with 50 receptions for 774 yards and seven touchdowns and was named second-team All-SEC by the Associated Press.{{cite news|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/vanderbilt/2019/08/20/vanderbilt-jared-pinkney-nfl-draft-tight-ends-travis-kelce-zach-ertz/1910583001/|title=Vanderbilt football: Jared Pinkney a fan of Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz|work=The Tennessean|date=Aug 26, 2019|access-date=November 8, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nashvillepost.com/sports/vanderbilt-football/blog/21035173/williams-adds-another-allsec-award|title=Williams adds another All-SEC award|first=David|last=Boclair|website=NashvillePost.com|date=December 8, 2018|access-date=November 8, 2019}}
Pinkney was again named to the Mackey Award watchlist and was named second-team preseason All-SEC going into his redshirt senior season.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1262106/2019/10/03/rexrode-on-jared-pinkney-a-wobbly-vanderbilt-team-and-a-defining-moment-for-derek-mason/|title=Rexrode: On Jared Pinkney, a wobbly Vanderbilt team and a defining moment for Derek Mason|first=Joe|last=Rexrode|website=The Athletic|date=October 3, 2019|access-date=November 8, 2019}} He was also listed as the top tight end prospect for the 2020 NFL Draft by Todd McShay and Mel Kiper of ESPN and as a projected first round pick by Pro Football Focus.{{cite web|url=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2019/08/13/saints-draft-picks-vanderbilt-jared-pinkney-news-pff-2020-mock-draft/|title=Saints pick Vanderbilt TE Jared Pinkney in PFF's 2020 mock draft|first=John|last=Sigler|website=Saints Wire|date=August 13, 2019|access-date=November 9, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://nflmocks.com/2019/10/02/2020-nfl-draft-todd-mcshay-jared-pinkney-sleeper/|title=2020 NFL Draft: Todd McShay touts Jared Pinkney as "first-round sleeper"|website=NFLMocks.com|publisher=FanSided|first=Dan|last=Schmelzer|date=October 2, 2019|access-date=November 9, 2019}} Pinkney experienced a down year as a senior, finishing the season with 20 receptions for 233 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games, missing the final game of the season due to injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/vanderbilt/2019/11/30/vanderbilt-football-tight-end-jared-pinkney-out-against-tennessee-wrist-injury/2231740001/|title=Vanderbilt tight end Jared Pinkney out against Tennessee with wrist injury|first=Adam|last=Sparks|work=The Tennessean|date=November 30, 2019|access-date=December 18, 2019}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 4
| weight = 257
| dash = 4.96
| ten split = 1.71
| twenty split = 2.88
| bench = 23
| arm span = 32 7/8
| hand span = 10 1/2
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jared-pinkney/32005049-4e63-0259-69b3-c5896132dc03 |title=Jared Pinkney Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=July 7, 2023}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1003413&DraftYear=2020 |title=2020 NFL Draft Scout Jared Pinkney College Football Profile |access-date=July 7, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
=Atlanta Falcons=
Pinkney signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2020, shortly after the conclusion of the 2020 NFL draft.{{cite news |author=McFadden, Will |title=Falcons agree to terms with 20 undrafted college free agents |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-agree-to-terms-with-20-undrafted-college-free-agents |website=AtlantaFalcons.com |date=April 27, 2020 |access-date=May 1, 2020}} He was waived on September 5, 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day.{{cite web|title=Falcons 2020 roster announced|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-2020-roster-announced|author=McFadden, Will|website=AtlantaFalcons.com|date=September 5, 2020}}{{cite news|title=Norcross grad Jared Pinkney among Atlanta Falcons practice squad signings |url=https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/sports/norcross-grad-jared-pinkney-among-atlanta-falcons-practice-squad-signings/article_1fa8032a-f06f-11ea-ba95-335ae5a25a07.html|date=September 6, 2020 |access-date=September 6, 2020}} He was elevated to the active roster on January 2, 2021, for the team's week 17 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and reverted to the practice squad after being declared inactive for the game.{{cite web|title=Falcons flex three offensive weapons for final game|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-flex-three-offensive-weapons-for-final-game|author=McFadden, Will|website=AtlantaFalcons.com|date=January 2, 2021|access-date=January 14, 2021}}{{cite web|title=Falcons-Bucs inactives: Julio Jones will miss season finale|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-bucs-inactives-julio-jones-will-miss-season-finale|author=McFadden, Will|website=AtlantaFalcons.com|date=January 3, 2021|access-date=January 14, 2021}} His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 11, 2021.{{cite news |title=Atlanta allows five to become free agents |url=https://www.fantasyguru.com/falcons-atlanta-allows-five-to-become-free-agents/ |website=FantasyGuru.com |date=January 11, 2021 |access-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121071434/https://www.fantasyguru.com/falcons-atlanta-allows-five-to-become-free-agents/ |url-status=dead }}
=Tennessee Titans=
On January 13, 2021, Pinkney signed a reserve/futures contract with the Tennessee Titans.{{cite web|title=Titans Sign Former Vanderbilt TE Jared Pinkney to Futures Contract|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-sign-former-vanderbilt-te-jared-pinkney-to-futures-contract|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=January 13, 2021|access-date=January 14, 2021}} He was waived on August 31, 2021.{{cite web|title=Titans Trim Roster to 53 By Parting Ways With 17 Players|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-trim-roster-to-53-by-partings-ways-with-17-players|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=August 31, 2021}}
=Detroit Lions (first stint)=
On September 2, 2021, Pinkney was signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad.{{cite web|title=Lions announce roster moves|url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-announce-roster-moves-fells-marlowe-montez|website=DetroitLions.com|date=September 2, 2021}} He was released on October 12.
=Los Angeles Rams (first stint)=
On October 20, 2021, Pinkney was signed to the Los Angeles Rams practice squad.{{cite web|title=Rams sign Grant Haley and Jared Pinkney to practice squad|url=https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2021/10/20/22735959/rams-news-practice-squad-signings-injury-report|work=Turf Show Times|publisher=SB Nation|date=October 20, 2021}}
=Detroit Lions (second stint)=
On December 28, 2021, Pinkney was signed by the Lions off the Rams practice squad.{{cite web|title=Lions sign LB Curtis Bolton, TE Jared Pinkney in flurry of roster moves|url=https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2021/12/28/detroit-lions-roster-moves-curtis-bolton-brock-wright-jared-pinkney-jashon-cornell-josh-woods-injuries/|work=Lions Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=December 28, 2021}} Pinkney made his NFL debut on January 2, 2022, starting at tight end for the Lions in a 51–29 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/lions/2022/01/snap-counts-dandre-swift-leads-lions-rbs-in-reps-despite-not-seeing-many-touches-in-return.html|title=Snap counts: D'Andre Swift leads Lions RBs in reps despite not seeing many touches in return|first=Benjamin|last=Raven|website=MLive.com|date=January 3, 2022|access-date=January 3, 2022}} He was waived on May 10, 2022.{{cite web|title=Detroit Lions waive 5 players, paving way for UDFA signings|url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2022/5/10/23065368/detroit-lions-waive-5-players-paving-way-udfa-signings-tavante-beckett-rashod-berry|work=Pride of Detroit|publisher=SB Nation|date=May 10, 2022}}
=Los Angeles Rams (second stint)=
On June 15, 2022, Pinkney signed with the Rams.{{cite web|title=Rams sign TE Jared Pinkney and RB A.J. Rose|url=https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2022/06/15/rams-roster-signings-jared-pinkney-aj-rose/|website=USAToday.com|date=June 15, 2022}} He was waived on August 30, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the next day.{{cite web|title=Analysis: Rams' initial 53-man roster for 2022|url=https://www.therams.com/news/analysis-rams-initial-53-man-roster-for-2022|author=Jackson, Stu|website=TheRams.com|date=August 30, 2022}}{{cite web|title=Rams sign 16 players, plus International Pathway Program player Max Pircher to practice squad|url=https://www.therams.com/news/rams-sign-16-players-max-pircher-practice-squad-2022|author=Jackson, Stu|website=TheRams.com|date=August 31, 2022}} He was promoted to the active roster on January 7, 2023.{{Cite tweet |user=RamsNFL |number=1611805099999006721 |title=LA Rams Transactions: • Activated, from Practice Squad DB T.J. Carter • Signed to Active Roster TE Jared Pinkney • Reserve/Injured DB Nick Scott}}
On March 10, 2023, Pinkney was waived by the Los Angeles Rams.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Charean |title=Rams officially release Leonard Floyd, seven others |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/03/10/rams-officially-release-leonard-floyd-seven-others/amp/ |access-date=10 March 2023 |website=NBCSports.com |archive-date=10 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310234048/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/03/10/rams-officially-release-leonard-floyd-seven-others/amp/ |url-status=dead }}
=Chicago Bears=
On July 31, 2023, Pinkney signed with the Chicago Bears.{{cite tweet|user=BearsPR|number=1686001914972946432|title=#Bears roster move: We have waived WR Thyrick Pitts and signed TE Jared Pinkney.}} He was waived/injured on August 21, 2023, and reverted to injured reserve the next day after going unclaimed on waivers.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-21 |title=Jared Pinkney: Waived with injury designation |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/jared-pinkney-waived-with-injury-designation/ |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-08-22 |title=Bears' Jared Pinkney: Shifts to IR |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/bears-jared-pinkney-shifts-to-ir/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://vucommodores.com/roster/jared-pinkney/ Vanderbilt Commodores bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pinkney, Jared}}
Category:Players of American football from Norcross, Georgia
Category:American football tight ends
Category:Norcross High School alumni
Category:Vanderbilt Commodores football players
Category:Atlanta Falcons players
Category:Tennessee Titans players
Category:Detroit Lions players