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Damon Arnette

Texans Host CB Damon Arnette

June 9th, 2025 at 10:49am CST by Adam La Rose

Damon Arnette‘s efforts to return to the NFL have resulted in at least one visit. The former first-round cornerback worked out with the Texans on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports.

Arnette was unsuccessful in his bid to play in the UFL last year, but he did manage to do so this spring. While operating as a key member of the Houston Roughnecks’ defense, he totaled 18 tackles, five pass breakups and a pick-six. That production led to recent inquiries from multiple NFL teams.

With the Roughnecks’ season over, Arnette is free to join an interested suitor at any time as he looks to return to the NFL. The 28-year-old played a total of 13 games with the Raiders across the 2020 and ’21 seasons. He was released after a video surfaced which showed him threatening a person while brandishing a handgun. Arnette wound up signing with the Dolphins before taking a futures deal with the Chiefs, but he never saw any game time with those teams.

The Ohio State product was indicted by a grand jury on assault with a deadly weapon and firearm-related charges in May 2023. Arnette wound up reaching a plea bargain agreement and has not faced charges since then. As Wilson details, he was arrested in January 2024 but that stemmed from a matter in which Arnette did not have the proper documentation for prescription medication with him at the time.

With the UFL and (to an extent, at least) the NFL satisfied in Arnette’s ability to avoid a repeat of his legal issues, it would come as no surprise if he were to land a deal before training camp. The Texans have a strong cornerback duo in the form of Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter, but the recent retirement of Ronald Darby has created the need for a depth addition. Depending on how today’s workout went, Arnette could be in line for the opportunity to earn a backup role this summer.

CB Damon Arnette Drawing NFL Interest

May 19th, 2025 at 10:35am CST by Adam La Rose

Damon Arnette‘s last NFL action came in 2021, and a number of legal issues since then appeared to close the door to a return. The corner has spent this spring in the UFL, though, and his performances have led to interest from NFL suitors.

Arnette was cut by the Raiders midway through his second season in the NFL. That move came in response to a video which showed him threatening a person while brandishing a handgun; the former first-rounder was also the subject of multiple lawsuits at the time. He briefly saw time with the Dolphins before inking a futures deal with the Chiefs. Kansas City released Arnette immediately after his arrest for assault with a deadly weapon, however.

In May 2023, the Ohio State product was indicted by a grand jury on assault with a deadly weapon and firearm-related charges. Arnette disputed the allegations and ultimately reached a plea bargain agreement which included 50 hours of community service and $2K in fines. After his attempts to play in the UFL last spring were denied, Arnette has been granted the opportunity to do so in 2025, finding success with the Houston Roughnecks.

“With coaches, I feel like I’ve proved a complete turnaround,” the 28-year-old said (via Aaron Wilson of KPRC2). “All the coaches that have been with me right now, I feel like their words would be more valuable because I’ve said a lot of things in the past… I found professionalism and a calm state of mind. I feel like I’m the best version of myself that I’ve ever been.”

Wilson notes “several” NFL teams have contacted the Roughnecks about Arnette in the wake of his strong play, which has included 18 tackles, five pass deflections and one interception (returned for a 51-yard touchdown) through seven games so far. Given his age and the value of corners, a market could exist once the UFL season ends shortly. It seemed for multiple years as though Arnette would not have a future in the NFL, but that could soon change.

Latest On CB Damon Arnette

May 27th, 2023 at 7:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

Former Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette is in the midst of a new legal development. Arnette has been indicted by a Clark County (NV) grand jury on assault with a deadly weapon and firearm-related charges, as detailed by David Charns of 8 News Now.

The charges stem from the January 2022 incident which led to Arnette’s arrest. In response to that news, not the first such development in the 26-year-old’s case, the Chiefs cut him shortly after signing him to a futures contract. The case against Arnette was initially dropped in July 2022, but the charges he now faces could result in a maximum of 10 years in state prison if he were to be convicted.

The former first-rounder is alleged to have displayed a handgun during an argument with valets at a Las Vegas Strip casino during the night in question. Arnette had previously been seen on video brandishing a gun while threatening a person; that led to his release from the Raiders in 2021. In this latest case, though, the details of his actions are in dispute.

“The district attorney’s office made a non-prosecution decision presumably after reviewing the video corroborating what Damon told the police that he never carried or pointed a gun at anyone,” a statement from Arnette’s attorney, Ross Goodman, read in July. Later that month, the Ohio State product was arrested in a separate matter on drug-related charges after being pulled over for driving with a suspended licence.

Arnette has pled not guilty to the felony charges stemming from the casino incident, per an Associated Press report (via ESPN.com). Goodman contends that Arnette never “brandished” nor “pointed” a gun, keeping in line with his previous remarks on the matter. Nevertheless, the re-introduction of charges has put his legal (and, if one exists at this point, NFL) future in question. The case’s next hearing is scheduled for June 7.

Minor NFL Transactions: 1/29/22

January 29th, 2022 at 10:52pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves before Championship Sunday:

Cincinnati Bengals

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Rams

San Francisco 49ers

Damon Arnette Arrested, Released By Chiefs

January 29th, 2022 at 11:13am CST by Ben Levine

Damon Arnette was arrested last night in Las Vegas for assault with a deadly weapon, a source tells NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter). Arnette is also facing weapons and drugs charges (Twitter link). The Chiefs immediately released the cornerback.

This is another troubling off-field incident for the former first-round pick. The Raiders cut Arnette earlier this year after a video surfaced showing him threatening a person while brandishing a handgun. Arnette is also facing multiple lawsuits, one for a car accident that resulted in injuries.

He later caught on with the Dolphins practice squad, and he was inked to a reserve/futures deal with the Chiefs following the regular season. Per Pelissero (on Twitter), the Chiefs signed him “with a commitment to intense counseling and zero tolerance.” Arnette ended up lasting only nine days with his new squad.

The Raiders used Arnette as a seven-game starter in 2020, with the defensive back finishing with 25 tackles and two passes defended. He was relegated to a part-time role this year in Las Vegas, where he collected four tackles in four games before earning his release.

Chiefs Sign CB Damon Arnette To Reserve/Futures Deal

January 20th, 2022 at 3:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Chiefs are giving another former first-round cornerback a second chance. They are signing Damon Arnette to a reserve/futures contract, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

This does not impact Kansas City’s playoff roster, but it does give the Chiefs yet another corner recently drafted in the first round. The former Raiders Round 1 pick will head to Kansas City after a brief stint on Miami’s practice squad. The Raiders cut Arnette earlier this year after a video surfaced showing him threatening a person while brandishing a handgun.

The Chiefs acquired former Vikings first-round corner Mike Hughes via trade last year and also have former Giants first-round cover man Deandre Baker on their playoff roster. Kansas City signed Baker not long after an off-field incident led to his New York ouster. Hughes is due for unrestricted free agency after this season; Baker can be controlled next season via exclusive-rights free agent tender.

Andy Reid‘s team has not shied away from players with checkered pasts, and the six-time reigning AFC West champions have benefited considerably from the acquisitions of Tyreek Hill and Frank Clark. While Arnette entered the NFL with a higher profile than each, being chosen 19th overall in 2020, he was headed in the wrong direction with the Raiders.

The Raiders used Arnette as a seven-game starter in 2020 but relegated him to a part-time role this year. The Ohio State product played four games with this year’s Las Vegas squad but was cut shortly after the Raiders parted ways with their other 2020 first-rounder — Henry Ruggs. Arnette is also facing multiple lawsuits, one for a car accident that resulted in injuries.

Dolphins Add Damon Arnette To Practice Squad

December 15th, 2021 at 3:00pm CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins have signed Damon Arnette to a practice squad deal (Twitter link via David Furones of the Sun Sentinel). This marks the cornerback’s first deal since he was cut by the Raiders earlier this year. 

Shortly after the tragedy involving Henry Ruggs, a video surfaced showing Arnette issuing threats and brandishing a handgun. The Raiders moved quickly to release the 2020 first-rounder, who was also in the midst of multiple lawsuits, including one for a car crash of his own.

Arnette made his name at Ohio State, flashing potential opposite of Jeff Okudah. With the ability to play on the inside or the outside, the Raiders were high on his upside. Unfortunately, his potential has been torpedoed by his off-the-field problems.

Arnette started in seven of his nine games as a rookie, collecting 25 tackles along the way. This year, he appeared in the Raiders’ first four games, but didn’t top 30% of the snaps in any of those contests.

While Arnette joins the 16-man practice squad, the rest of the team will prepare to face the Jets on Sunday. A win would give them six straight, a 7-7 record on the year, and at least a glimmer of hope in the Wild Card race.

Raiders Activate CB Mullen From IR

December 11th, 2021 at 6:41pm CST by Ely Allen

Trayvon Mullen is primed for a return to action as the Raiders have announced that he’s been activated from injured reserve today. Las Vegas had designated the former second-round pick to return from injured reserve a little over a week ago.

Interim head coach Rich Bisaccia had made a statement saying, “[Mullen] wants to be in a position where he feels like he’s ready to go and he’s not at 70 percent or 80 percent,” so Mullen’s activation should indicate a return to full health for the Raiders’ starting cornerback.

While the Raiders will certainly be happy to have a bit more depth to a cornerback room that was looking fairly slim with Mullen injured and Damon Arnette‘s release, Mullen’s absence has allowed Las Vegas to test out some of the corners they had available. Even after losing Mullen and Arnette after only four games, the Raiders knew they had experience in ten-year veteran Casey Hayward and liked what they saw in rookie fifth-round pick Nate Hobbs. They did take action, reaching out to sign Hayward’s former teammate, Brandon Facyson, off the Chargers’ practice squad to help fill out the room. The signing has paid off as they’ve seen Facyson start their last six games as Hobbs continues to develop as a pro.

Adding Mullen to the mix strengthens an already impressive position group for the Raiders’ defense. Mullen’s activation was joined by defensive tackle Darius Philon‘s activation off injured reserve. Las Vegas also announced the signing of linebacker Will Compton to the active roster and the release of defensive tackle Damion Square. From the practice squad wide receiver Tyron Johnson, linebacker Javin White, and running back Trey Ragas have been called up for Sunday’s game against the Chiefs.

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Staff, Raiders

November 12th, 2021 at 4:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

Entering the season on one of the hottest seats among the current crop of head coaches, Vic Fangio has overseen an up-and-down slate. After starting 3-0, the Broncos lost four straight. They have since rebounded with back-to-back wins, despite significant injury issues. This midseason stretch certainly has helped Fangio’s case for a fourth season in Denver, and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes that George Paton is fond of the John Elway-hired HC not necessarily looking to bring in his own leader. While the Broncos have endured several blowout losses during Fangio’s three-year tenure, it appears the defensive-minded leader has a decent chance of saving his job. Paton did say recently the team must play better offensively, potentially putting Pat Shurmur‘s job in question. The Broncos rank 18th offensively but averaged just 16 points per game during their four-game losing streak.

Here is more from Denver and the latest from around the AFC West:

  • The Rams came through with the best offer for Von Miller, but there was at least one more offer including a Day 2 pick. During the low-key Miller sweepstakes, the Rams believed another team offered the Broncos a Day 2 pick and was willing to absorb Miller’s salary, per Nick Kosmider and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic (subscription required). This motivated the Rams to include a second Day 2 selection in their offer, and Paton essentially bought that pick by agreeing to pick up $9MM of Miller’s remaining salary. The Rams are only responsible for $700K of that total. The Cardinals and Cowboys were believed to be the other teams in on Miller.
  • In a turbulent stretch for the Raiders, more troubling signs were present ahead of Damon Arnette‘s exit. During the first-rounder’s rookie season, he crashed four rental cars within roughly a month-long span, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Arnette, whom the Raiders waived after he appeared in a video threatening someone with a gun, has seen a car accident result in a lawsuit. The Ohio State product is facing multiple lawsuits, one for a car accident that resulted in injuries. The Raiders moved on from both their 2020 first-round picks — Arnette and Henry Ruggs — in a week’s time.
  • Mike Shula will indeed call plays for the Broncos this week, the Broncos announced. Second-year offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur will not be with the team after testing positive for COVID-19. Shula last called plays when he served as the Panthers’ OC from 2013-17. He has spent the past four seasons working with Shurmur, holding the posts of Giants OC and Broncos QBs coach in that span.
  • Mark Davis said recently the Jon Gruden emails being leaked during the season created a major issue for the Raiders, who parted ways with the embattled head coach last month. Davis said the NFL may have known about these emails for months and that the Raiders being forced into an offseason coaching change would have obviously been easier, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Gruden has since sued the NFL and Roger Goodell.
  • Tight end Jace Sternberger worked out for the Broncos on Friday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. A 2019 Packers third-round pick, Sternberger bounced from Green Bay to Seattle to Washington this year. He is now on the workout circuit, battling to stay on the NFL radar. The former Texas A&M standout has not played this season and has 12 career receptions.
  • Andy Reid made a pitch to Odell Beckham Jr., but the Chiefs could not convince the veteran wide receiver to sign on. Kansas City was one of at least seven teams to pursue Beckham, who signed with the Rams on Thursday.
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