Luke Gifford

Luke Gifford (born August 28, 1995) is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Nebraska.

Luke Gifford
Gifford with Nebraska in 2018
No. 57 – Dallas Cowboys
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1995-08-28) August 28, 1995
Lincoln, Nebraska
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school:Lincoln Southeast (NE)
College:Nebraska
Undrafted:2019
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 14, 2019
Total tackles:6
Sacks:0.0
Forced fumbles:0
Fumble recoveries:0
Pass deflections:0
Interceptions:0
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early years

Gifford attended Lincoln Southeast High School, where he was a two-way player as a tight end and safety. As a sophomore, he contributed to the team winning the 2011 state championship. As a junior, he received second-team All-Nebraska honors. As a senior, he was named the starting quarterback.[1]

He accepted a football scholarship from University of Nebraska with the intention of playing safety, but was converted into a linebacker.[2]

As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in 6 games, tallying 7 tackles (one for loss) before suffering a season-ending hip injury. As a sophomore, he appeared in 4 contests as a backup, making only one assisted tackle.

As a junior, he appeared in 7 games as a starter at outside linebacker, registering 39 tackles (5 for loss) and 1.5 sacks, until suffering a season-ending hip injury. As a senior, he appeared in all 12 contests, posting 62 tackles, 13 tackles for loss (led the team), 5.5 sacks (led the team), 7 quarterback hurries and one forced fumble.

Professional career

Gifford was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent after the 2019 NFL Draft on April 30.[3] He suffered a left high ankle sprain in the first preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, after making one interception, one tackle and one pass breakup.[4] Even though he was injured, the Cowboys protected his player rights by keeping him on the regular season roster. He returned to action in Week 6 against the New York Jets and was focused on playing special teams. In Week 15 against the Los Angeles Rams, Gifford suffered a fractured left arm while covering a punt return and was ruled out for the remainder of the season.[5] He was placed on injured reserve on December 17.[6] He appeared in 6 games and was declared inactive for 8 contests during the season.

Gifford was suspended two games by the NFL for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs on November 24, 2020.[7] He was reinstated from suspension on December 9.[8]

References
  1. "Southeast star Gifford chooses NU". Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  2. "NFL Draft bio". Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  3. "Cowboys to Sign 13 Undrafted Free Agents". Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  4. "49ers beat Cowboys 17-9 in exhibition opener". Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  5. "Cowboys LB Luke Gifford out for the season after fracturing arm vs. Rams". Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  6. Phillips, Rob (December 17, 2019). "Gifford To IR; Cowboys Sign LB For Depth". DallasCowboys.com.
  7. "Cowboys' Luke Gifford suspended two games by NFL for violation of league PED policy". CBS Sports. November 24, 2020.
  8. "Cowboys' Luke Gifford: Suspension comes to end". CBSSports.com. December 9, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
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