Justin Zimmer
{{Short description|American football player (born 1992)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Justin Zimmer
| image = Justin Zimmer Bills blue.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Zimmer with the Buffalo Bills in 2021
| current_team =
| number = 95, 92, 99, 61, 96{{cite web | url=https://profootballarchives.com/players/z/zimm00080.html | title=Justin Zimmer | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=17 December 2024}}
| position = Defensive tackle
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|10|23}}
| birth_place = Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 305
| high_school = Greenville (MI)
| college = Ferris State
| undraftedyear = 2016
| pastteams =
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2016}})*
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2017}})*
- Montreal Alouettes ({{CFL Year|2017}})
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2018}}–{{NFL Year|2019}})
- Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2019}})
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2020}}–{{NFL Year|2022}})
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2022}})
| status =
| highlights =
- 2× Division II All-American (2014, 2015)
- 3× First-team All-GLIAC (2013-2015)
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 35
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 2.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 1
| pfr = ZimmJu00
| cfl = justin-zimmer/162059
}}
Justin Zimmer (born October 23, 1992) is an American former professional football defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons. He played college football at Ferris State. Professionally, he has been a member of the Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, and Miami Dolphins of the NFL, in addition to the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
College career
Zimmer played four seasons for the Ferris State Bulldogs, compiling a total of 216 tackles, 26 sacks, 48.5 tackles for a loss, 1 interception, 1 touchdown, 14 pass deflections, 9 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 blocked kicks. He was a three time first-team All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection, a two time Division II All-American, and a three time Division II Academic All-American.{{cite web|url=https://fsutorch.com/2016/05/01/justin-zimmer-signs-bills/|title=Justin Zimmer signs with Bills|first=Marshall|last=Scheldt|work=The Ferris State Torch|date=May 1, 2016|access-date=December 6, 2018}}
Professional career
=Buffalo Bills (first stint)=
Zimmer signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2016.{{cite web|title=Bills announce deals with 14 undrafted free agents|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/05/02/bills-announce-deals-with-14-undrafted-free-agents/|author=Florio, Mike|work=Pro Football Talk|publisher=NBC Sports|date=May 2, 2016|access-date=October 3, 2018}} He was waived by the Bills on August 30, 2016.{{cite web|title=Reserve/PUP for Shaq Lawson; WR Little among cuts to get to 75|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/ReservePUP-for-Shaq-Lawson-WR-Little-among-cuts-to-get-to-75/00ccf95b-7563-4e66-8bd4-ab03b32895e0|author=Brown, Chris|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=August 30, 2016|access-date=October 3, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829115123/https://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/ReservePUP-for-Shaq-Lawson-WR-Little-among-cuts-to-get-to-75/00ccf95b-7563-4e66-8bd4-ab03b32895e0|archive-date=August 29, 2017}}
=New Orleans Saints=
On December 13, 2016, Zimmer was signed to the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints.{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints sign defensive tackle Justin Zimmer to practice squad|url=https://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2016/12/new_orleans_saints_justin_zimm.html|first=Christopher|last=Dabe|website=NOLA.com|publisher=The Times-Picayune|date=December 13, 2016|access-date=October 3, 2018}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints on January 2, 2017.{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints sign seven players to reserve/future deals|url=https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2017/1/2/14149106/new-orleans-saints-sign-seven-players-reserve-future-deals|first=John|last=Hendrix|website=CanalStreetChronicles.com|publisher=SB Nation|date=January 2, 2017|access-date=October 3, 2018}} He was waived on September 2, 2017.{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints make 37 roster moves|url=http://www.neworleanssaints.com/news-and-events/article-1/New-Orleans-Saints-make-37-roster-moves/772dc16b-7962-4363-b7a8-85db4dd37f90|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=September 2, 2017|access-date=September 2, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007170254/http://www.neworleanssaints.com/news-and-events/article-1/New-Orleans-Saints-make-37-roster-moves/772dc16b-7962-4363-b7a8-85db4dd37f90|archive-date=October 7, 2017}}
=Montreal Alouettes=
Zimmer signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League on September 21, 2017, and was added to the team's practice roster.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2017/09/former_ferris_state_standout_j.html|title=Former Ferris State standout Justin Zimmer signs with CFL team|first=Peter|last=Wallner|work=The Grand Rapids Press|publisher=MLive.com|date=September 21, 2017|access-date=December 6, 2018}} He was promoted to the active roster and appeared in the Alouettes' final game of the season, recording three tackles and one sack.{{cite web|url=https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2018/4/17/17248952/atlanta-falcons-sign-ex-seahawks-dt-garrison-smith-justin-zimmer-tyson-graham|title=Falcons sign ex-Seahawks DT Garrison Smith, DT Justin Zimmer, CB Tyson Graham|first=Cory|last=Woodroof|work=TheFalcoholic.com|publisher=SB Nation|date=April 17, 2018|access-date=December 6, 2018}}
=Atlanta Falcons=
On April 17, 2018, Zimmer was signed by the Atlanta Falcons.{{cite web|title=Falcons announce signing of three defensive players|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-announce-signing-of-three-defensive-players-20549712|author=McFadden, Will|website=AtlantaFalcons.com|date=April 17, 2018|access-date=October 3, 2018}} Zimmer made the Falcons' 53-man roster, and made his regular season debut in Week 3.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/Z/ZimmJu00/gamelog/|title=Justin Zimmer Career Game Log|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=December 5, 2018}} He was waived by the Falcons on October 2, 2018, and was re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web|title=Falcons sign former Jaguars' defensive tackle Michael Bennett|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-sign-former-jaguars-defensive-tackle-michael-bennett|author=Conway, Kelsey|website=AtlantaFalcons.com|date=October 2, 2018}}{{cite web|title=Falcons sign defensive tackle Justin Zimmer to practice squad, waive cornerback Taveze Calhoun|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-sign-defensive-tackle-justin-zimmer-to-practice-squad-waive-cornerback-t|author=Conway, Kelsey|website=AtlantaFalcons.com|date=October 4, 2018|access-date=October 5, 2018|archive-date=October 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005001820/https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-sign-defensive-tackle-justin-zimmer-to-practice-squad-waive-cornerback-t|url-status=dead}} On December 4, 2018, Zimmer was signed to the Falcons’ 53-man roster.{{Cite web |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-place-josh-harris-on-injured-reserve-promote-justin-zimmer-to-active-ros |title=Falcons place Josh Harris on injured reserve, promote Justin Zimmer to active roster |last=Tabeek |first=Matthew |date=December 4, 2018 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com |access-date=2019-11-26 |archive-date=December 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205041906/https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-place-josh-harris-on-injured-reserve-promote-justin-zimmer-to-active-ros |url-status=dead }}
On August 31, 2019, Zimmer was waived by the Falcons and was signed to the practice squad the next day.{{Cite web |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-2019-roster-announced |title=Falcons 2019 roster announced |last=McFadden |first=Will |date=August 31, 2019 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com |access-date=2019-11-26}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-sign-seven-players-to-practice-squad |title=Falcons sign seven players to practice squad |last=McFadden |first=Will |date=September 1, 2019 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com |access-date=2019-11-26}}
=Cleveland Browns=
On December 3, 2019, Zimmer was signed by the Cleveland Browns off the Falcons' practice squad.{{cite web|title=Browns sign DT Justin Zimmer, make other roster moves|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-sign-dt-justin-zimmer-make-other-roster-moves|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=December 3, 2019}} The Browns waived Zimmer with a non-football injury designation on July 31, 2020.{{cite news |title=Browns release 4 players |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-release-4-players-x4185 |publisher=ClevelandBrowns.com |date=July 31, 2020 |access-date=August 1, 2020}}
=Buffalo Bills (second stint)=
File:NFL2021 - Washington Football Team at. Buffalo Bills 6 (51530858275).jpg
On August 16, 2020, Zimmer signed with the Buffalo Bills.{{cite web|title=Bills sign DTs Justin Zimmer and Tanzel Smart|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-dts-justin-zimmer-and-tanzel-smart|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=August 16, 2020}} He was waived on September 5, 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day.{{cite web|title=Bills announce these moves to get to the 53-man roster limit|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-announce-these-moves-to-get-to-the-53-man-roster-limit|author=Brown, Chris|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=September 5, 2020}}{{cite web|title=Bills announce the initial 2020 practice squad|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-announce-the-initial-2020-practice-squad|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=September 6, 2020}} He was elevated to the active roster on September 12 and October 19 for the team's weeks 1 and 6 games against the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs, and reverted to the practice squad the day after each game.{{cite news |title=Cam Lewis, Justin Zimmer elevated from practice squad for Jets game |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/cam-lewis-justin-zimmer-elevated-from-practice-squad-for-jets-game |website=BuffaloBills.com |date=September 12, 2020 |access-date=September 29, 2020}}{{cite tweet |user=BuffaloBills |title=We've elevated DE Bryan Cox, Jr. and DT Justin Zimmer for tonight's game. #KCvsBUF |number=1318258319350530048 |date=October 19, 2020 |access-date=October 31, 2020}} He was signed to active roster on October 21.{{cite web|title=Bills promote DT Justin Zimmer to the 53-man roster|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-promote-dt-justin-zimmer-to-the-53-man-roster|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=October 21, 2020}}
In Week 8 against the New England Patriots, Zimmer made a key play late in the fourth quarter, punching the ball out of Patriots quarterback Cam Newton's hands on a quarterback keeper as New England was driving down the field to either tie or win the game. The forced fumble and recovery by teammate Dean Marlowe sealed a 24–21 Bills win. Zimmer was awarded a game ball following the contest. {{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Jay Skurski News Sports |date=2020-11-01 |title=10 observations: Justin Zimmer's forced fumble saves the day for Bills |url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/10-observations-justin-zimmers-forced-fumble-saves-the-day-for-bills/article_cf0ae044-1c84-11eb-9b65-fb0ebdce9217.html |access-date=2020-11-05 |website=The Buffalo News |language=en}}
In Week 10 against the Arizona Cardinals, Zimmer recorded his first career sack on Kyler Murray during the 32–30 loss.{{Cite web |title=Buffalo Bills at Arizona Cardinals - November 15th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202011150crd.htm |access-date=2020-11-20 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} During the Bills' Divisional Round matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Zimmer recorded a top speed of 18.45 miles per hour on an interception return, which was the second fastest speed by a Defensive Tackle during the 2020-21 season.
During the 2021 season, Zimmer was placed on injured reserve with a season-ending knee injury on November 11.{{cite web|title=Bills sign Cam Lewis to 53-man roster; Justin Zimmer place on injured reserve + other moves announced|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-cam-lewis-to-53-man-roster-justin-zimmer-place-on-injured-reserve-oth|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=November 11, 2021}} He became a free agent after the season, but was re-signed to the Bills' practice squad on October 4, 2022.{{cite web |last1=Boccachino |first1=John |last2=Warren |first2=Matt |title=2022 NFL Free Agency: Bills tender OG Ryan Bates, but not DT Justin Zimmer |url=https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/3/16/22981687/2022-nfl-free-agency-bills-tender-og-ryan-bates-but-not-dt-justin-zimmer |website=buffalorumblings.com |date=March 16, 2022 |publisher=Vox Media, LLC. |access-date=4 April 2022}}
=Miami Dolphins=
On November 23, 2022, Zimmer was signed by the Miami Dolphins off the Bills' practice squad.{{cite web|title=Miami Dolphins sign Zimmer|url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-sign-zimmer|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=November 23, 2022}} On December 31, Zimmer was placed on season–ending injured reserve with an undisclosed injury.{{Cite web|title=Dolphins make a flurry of roster moves ahead of Patriots game|url=https://dolphinswire.usatoday.com/2022/12/31/dolphins-place-justin-zimmer-on-ir/|access-date=October 7, 2023|website=dolphinswire.usatoday.com|language=en}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com/sports/fball/2015-16/bios/zimmer_justin_s7s3 Ferris State Bulldogs bio]
- {{commons category-inline}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zimmer, Justin}}
Category:People from Greenville, Michigan
Category:Players of American football from Michigan
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:Canadian football defensive linemen
Category:Montreal Alouettes players
Category:Atlanta Falcons players
Category:Buffalo Bills players
Category:Cleveland Browns players
Category:Ferris State Bulldogs football players
Category:New Orleans Saints players