Lawrence Cager
{{Short description|American football player (born 1997)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Lawrence Cager
| image =
| caption =
| current_team = Washington Commanders
| number = 89
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|8|20}}
| birth_place = Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 5
| weight_lb = 220
| high_school = Calvert Hall {{nowrap|(Towson, Maryland)}}
| college = {{ubl|Miami (FL) (2015–2018)|Georgia (2019)}}
| undraftedyear = 2020
| pastteams =
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2020}})
- Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2021}})
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2022}})
- New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2022|2024}})
- Washington Commanders ({{NFL Year|2025}}–present)*
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statleague =
| statseason = 2024
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 19
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 189
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 2
| pfr = CageLa01
}}
Lawrence Cager (born August 20, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes and Georgia Bulldogs.
Early life
Cager attended Calvert Hall College High School in Towson, Maryland, where he played high school football.{{Cite web |title=Lawrence Cager, Calvert Hall College , Wide Receiver |url=https://247sports.com/Player/Lawrence-Cager-25877/high-school-41936/ |access-date=September 30, 2020 |website=247Sports |language=en-US}} He was ranked as a four-star prospect by Rivals.com.{{Cite web |title=Lawrence Cager, 2015 Wide Receiver |url=https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2015/lawrence-cager-8984 |access-date=September 30, 2020 |website=Rivals.com}}
College career
Cager had 45 receptions for 681 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns in his three seasons at Miami (FL) until transferring to Georgia for his senior season.{{cite web | last=Bratton | first=Michael Wayne | title=Miami graduate transfer WR Lawrence Cager expected to visit Georgia | website=Saturday Down South | date=2019-01-25 | url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/georgia-football/miami-graduate-transfer-wr-lawrence-cager-expected-to-visit-georgia/ | access-date=2024-10-02}} Cager had 33 receptions for 476 yards and four receiving touchdowns in his lone season at Georgia.{{cite web | last=Callaghan | first=Griffin | title=Analyzing former Georgia wide receiver Lawrence Cager's fit with the Jets | website=The Red & Black | date=2020-05-07 | url=https://www.redandblack.com/sports/analyzing-former-georgia-wide-receiver-lawrence-cager-s-fit-with-the-jets/article_9232f730-900a-11ea-bd32-4bf9818c225f.html | access-date=2024-10-02}}{{Cite web |title=Lawrence Cager College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/lawrence-cager-1.html |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable" |
| style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| School ! rowspan="2"| Conf ! rowspan="2"| Class ! rowspan="2"| Pos ! rowspan="2"| G ! colspan="4" | Receiving |
| style="font-weight:bold;"
| Rec | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2015
| ACC | FR | WR | 5 | 8 | 70 | 8.8 | 1 |
| 2017
| ACC | SO | WR | 8 | 16 | 237 | 14.8 | 3 |
| 2018
| ACC | JR | WR | 12 | 21 | 374 | 17.8 | 6 |
| 2019
| Georgia | SEC | SR | WR | 8 | 33 | 476 | 14.4 | 4 |
| style="font-weight:bold;"
| colspan="4" style="font-weight:normal;" | | 33 | 78 | 1,157 | 14.8 | 14 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 4 3/4
| weight = 220
| arm span = 33 3/8
| hand span = 8 7/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/lawrence-cager/32004341-4715-8115-bb5b-4a6b80b34c60 |title=Lawrence Cager Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=November 15, 2022}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1002999&DraftYear=2020 |title=2020 Draft Scout Lawrence Cager, Georgia NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |website=draftscout.com |access-date=November 15, 2022}}
}}
=New York Jets (first stint)=
In May 2020, Cager signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent after the 2020 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last1=Lange |first1=Randy |last2=Greenberg |first2=Ethan |date=2020-05-06 |title=Jets Sign 9 Undrafted Free Agents |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-9-undrafted-free-agents |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=New York Jets}} He was waived on September 5, 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day.{{Cite web |last=Lange |first=Randy |date=September 5, 2020 |title=Jets Move 27 to Get Their Roster to 53-Player Limit |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-53-man-roster-2020-season |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=NewYorkJets.com}}{{Cite web |last=Lange |first=Randy |date=September 6, 2020 |title=15 Signed to Practice Squad; All Were in Jets Training Camp |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-practice-squad-2020-season |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=NewYorkJets.com}} He was elevated to the active roster on September 26 for the team's week 3 game against the Indianapolis Colts,{{Cite news |last=Greenberg, Ethan |date=September 26, 2020 |title=Jets Elevate WR Lawrence Cager, OL Jimmy Murray from Practice Squad |work=NewYorkJets.com |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-elevate-wr-lawrence-cager-ol-jimmy-murray-from-practice-squad |access-date=October 7, 2020 |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007123220/https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-elevate-wr-lawrence-cager-ol-jimmy-murray-from-practice-squad |url-status=dead }} and reverted to the practice squad after the game on September 28.{{Cite news |date=September 28, 2020 |title=Lawrence Cager: Sent back down to practice squad |work=CBSSports.com |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/lawrence-cager-sent-back-down-to-practice-squad/ |access-date=October 7, 2020}} He made his NFL debut in the game, recording two receptions for 35 yards.{{Cite web |title=New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts – September 27th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202009270clt.htm |access-date=September 30, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was elevated again on October 1 for the week 4 game against the Denver Broncos,{{Cite news |date=October 1, 2020 |title=Jets' Lawrence Cager: Back on the active roster |work=CBSSports.com |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/jets-lawrence-cager-back-on-the-active-roster/ |access-date=October 7, 2020}} and reverted to the practice squad again the next day.{{Cite news |date=October 2, 2020 |title=Lawrence Cager: Back to practice roster |work=CBSSports.com |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/lawrence-cager-back-to-practice-roster/ |access-date=October 7, 2020}} He suffered a hamstring injury in the game, and was placed on the practice squad/injured list on October 7.{{Cite news |last=Greenberg, Ethan |date=October 7, 2020 |title=Jets Place WR Lawrence Cager on Practice Squad IR, Restore WR Donte Moncrief to P-Squad |work=NewYorkJets.com |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-place-wr-lawrence-cager-on-practice-squad-ir-restore-wr-donte-moncrief |access-date=October 7, 2020}} He was activated back to the practice squad on October 28.{{Cite news |last=Greenberg, Ethan |date=October 28, 2020 |title=Jets Activate Jabari Zuniga to Active Roster; Place DL Kyle Phillips on Injured Reserve |work=NewYorkJets.com |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-activate-jabari-zuniga-to-active-roster-place-dl-kyle-phillips-on-injured-r |access-date=November 11, 2020}} He was signed to the active roster on December 12, 2020.{{Cite web |last=Greenberg, Ethan |date=December 12, 2020 |title=Jets Activate CB Bless Austin, TE Trevon Wesco from Injured Reserve; Place 3 on IR |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-activate-cb-bless-austin-te-trevon-wesco-from-injured-reserve-place-3-on-ir |website=NewYorkJets.com}}
On August 31, 2021, Cager was waived by the Jets.{{Cite web |last1=Lange |first1=Randy |last2=Greenberg |first2=Ethan |date=August 31, 2021 |title=Jets Remove 27 Players from Roster to Reach 53-Man Limit |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-53-man-roster-2021-season |access-date=January 16, 2024 |website=NewYorkJets.com}}
=Cleveland Browns=
On October 4, 2021, Cager signed with the Cleveland Browns practice squad.{{cite web|title=Browns sign WR Lawrence Cager to practice squad|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-sign-wr-lawrence-cager-to-practice-squad|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=October 4, 2021}} The Browns elevated Cager to their active roster on November 20, 2021.{{Cite news |date=November 20, 2021 |title=Browns make roster moves |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-make-roster-moves-x7949 |access-date=2024-10-04 |publisher=ClevelandBrowns.com}} He was promoted to the active roster on December 16.{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2021 |title=Browns activate TE David Njoku, make additional roster moves |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-activate-te-david-njoku-make-additional-roster-moves |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=ClevelandBrowns.com}} He was waived on December 24.{{cite web|title=Browns activate 5 players from reserve/COVID-19 list, make other roster moves|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-activate-5-players-from-reserve-covid-19-list-make-other-roster-moves|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=December 24, 2021}} Cager was re-signed to the Browns' practice squad on December 28, 2021.{{Cite news |date=December 28, 2021 |title=Browns sign two to practice squad, make other roster moves |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-sign-two-to-practice-squad-make-other-roster-moves |access-date=2024-10-04 |publisher=ClevelandBrowns.com}}
=New York Jets (second stint)=
On January 12, 2022, Cager signed a reserve/future contract with the Jets and changed his position to tight end.{{cite web|title=Jets Sign TE Lawrence Cager and WR Rodney Adams to Reserve/Future Contracts|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-te-lawrence-cager-and-wr-rodney-adams-to-reserve-future-contracts|author=Greenberg, Ethan|website=newyorkjets.com|date=January 13, 2022}} He was waived on October 15, 2022.{{cite web|title=Jets Activate DE Vinny Curry from IR, Release TE Lawrence Cager|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-activate-de-vinny-curry-from-ir-release-te-lawrence-cager|author=Greenberg, Ethan|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=October 15, 2022}}
=New York Giants=
On October 18, 2022, the New York Giants signed Cager to their practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=October 18, 2022 |title=Giants sign WR Marcus Johnson off practice squad |url=https://www.giants.com/news/marcus-johnson-austin-allen-lawrence-cager-korey-cunningham-roster-transactions |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Giants.com}} Cager was elevated from the practice squad for Week 8 and Week 10 games against the Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans.{{Cite web |last=Citak |first=Matt |date=October 29, 2022 |title=Elerson Smith activated, Ben Bredeson to IR among roster moves |url=https://www.giants.com/news/elerson-smith-ben-bredeson-injured-reserve-landon-collins-lawrence-cager-week-8 |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Giants.com}}{{Cite web |date=November 12, 2022 |title=Giants activate OT Matt Peart; TE Lawrence Cager, DL Henry Mondeaux elevated from practice squad |url=https://www.giants.com/news/nfl-week-10-transactions-roster-texans-matt-peart-lawrence-cager-henry-mondeaux |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Giants.com}} In Week 10 against the Texans Cager recorded his first career touchdown in the 24-16 win.{{Cite web |last=Salomone |first=Dan |date=November 13, 2022 |title=Instant Analysis: Giants defeat Texans, 24-16 |url=https://www.giants.com/news/nfl-week-10-recap-stats-houston-texans-saquon-barkley-darius-slayton |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Giants.com}} On November 19, 2022, he was elevated from the practice squad for the third time this season for Week 11 game against the Detroit Lions.{{Cite web |last=Citak |first=Matt |date=November 19, 2022 |title=Shane Lemieux activated from reserve; Lawrence Cager elevated from practice squad |url=https://www.giants.com/news/shane-lemieux-reserve-lawrence-cager-practice-squad-detroit-lions-week-11 |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Giants.com}} On November 22, 2022, Cager was promoted to the active roster.{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=November 22, 2022 |title=Giants sign TE Nick Vannett to practice squad; TE Lawrence Cager to active roster |url=https://www.giants.com/news/nick-vannett-ohio-state-buckeyes-saints-seahawks-steelers-roster-lawrence-cager |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=Giants.com}}
On October 18, 2023, Cager was waived by the Giants and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web|url=https://www.giants.com/news/giants-sign-ol-justin-pugh-to-active-roster-te-lawrence-cager-waived|work=Giants.com|title=Giants sign OL Justin Pugh to active roster; TE Lawrence Cager waived|date=October 18, 2023|accessdate=October 18, 2023}} He was promoted to the active roster on November 4.{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=November 4, 2023 |title=Giants place Darren Waller, Tyrod Taylor on injured reserve |url=https://www.giants.com/news/randy-bullock-kicker-graham-gano-injury-darren-waller-tyrod-taylor |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=Giants.com}} On December 30, the Giants placed him on injured reserve.{{cite web|url=https://www.giants.com/news/lawrence-cager-darrian-beavers-mason-crosby-dennis-houston-week-17-rams|title=TE Lawrence Cager to IR; LB Darrian Beavers signed to active roster|date=December 30, 2023|accessdate=January 4, 2024|work=Giants.com}}
On March 13, 2024, the Giants re-signed Cager on a one-year contract.{{cite magazine | last=Parsaud | first=Andrew | title=Giants Make Decisions on Restricted Free Agents | magazine=Sports Illustrated | date=2024-03-13 | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/giants/gm-report/giants-make-decisions-on-restricted-free-agents | access-date=2024-08-13}} He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=August 28, 2024 |title=Giants announce initial 53-man roster for 2024 |url=https://www.giants.com/news/giants-announce-53-man-roster-for-2024-season-nfl-transactions |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=Giants.com}}{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=August 28, 2024 |title=Giants sign 15 players to practice squad |url=https://www.giants.com/news/giants-sign-15-players-to-practice-squad-miles-boykin-lawrence-cager-kj-cloyd-isaiah-hodgins-dante-miller |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=Giants.com}} He was released on October 1.{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Ed |date=2024-10-01 |title=New York Giants shuffle practice squad |url=https://www.bigblueview.com/2024/10/1/24259786/new-york-giants-shuffle-practice-squad-lawrence-cager-kearis-jackson-greg-stroman-cj-beathard#:~:text=Tight%2520end%2520Lawrence%2520Cager%252C%2520who,and%2520tight%2520end%2520Joel%2520Wilson. |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=Big Blue View |language=en}}
=Washington Commanders=
Cager signed a futures contract with the Washington Commanders on January 8, 2025.{{cite web |title=Commanders' Lawrence Cager: Signs futures deal with Washington |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/commanders-lawrence-cager-signs-futures-deal-with-washington/ |website=CBS Sports |publisher=RotoWire |access-date=9 January 2025 |date=8 January 2025}} The Commanders listed him as a wide receiver on their official roster, indicating his return to the position he played in college and for the first two years of his NFL career.https://www.commanders.com/team/players-roster/lawrence-cager/
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.commanders.com/team/players-roster/lawrence-cager/ Washington Commanders profile]
- [https://georgiadogs.com/sports/football/roster/lawrence-cager/4061 Georgia Bulldogs profile]
{{footballstats|yahoo=33329|espn=3917849|nfl=lawrence-cager}}
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{{Portal bar|American football|Biography|College football|United States|border=no}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cager, Lawrence}}
Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Cleveland Browns players
Category:Georgia Bulldogs football players
Category:Miami Hurricanes football players
Category:New York Jets players
Category:New York Giants players