Chris Reed

Chris Reed Bio

Christopher Reed, born on July 22, 1992, is an American professional football guard who has carved out a long career in the National Football League despite entering the league without a draft selection. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and listed around 314 pounds, he has spent time on practice squads and active rosters across multiple franchises, building a reputation as a dependable interior lineman.

After going undrafted in 2015, Reed signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and went on to appear in regular-season games for the Miami Dolphins, the Carolina Panthers, the Indianapolis Colts, the Minnesota Vikings, and briefly the Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints. His journeyman path has made him a familiar presence on NFL rosters in recent seasons.

Early Life and Background

Christopher Reed was born on July 22, 1992, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and grew up in the nearby Midwestern region that produced a long line of football talent. He later moved to Nebraska, where he attended Omaha Central High School in Omaha. His size and athleticism began to draw attention during his high school years, setting the stage for a college career that would blend football with another sport.

At Omaha Central, Reed developed the physical base that would later serve him in the trenches, while also showing the kind of explosiveness that comes from throwing heavy objects for distance. Those early experiences in the weight room and on the field shaped his approach to the game and prepared him for the next step in his athletic development.

Path to American Football

Reed continued his athletic career at Minnesota State University, where he played college football for the Minnesota State Mavericks. He lined up primarily as a left tackle for the Mavericks, gaining valuable experience in pass protection and run blocking at the NCAA Division II level. His time in Mankato helped him transition from a promising high school athlete into a professional prospect.

In addition to football, Reed competed on the Minnesota State track and field team as a thrower. He became an 11-time NCAA Division II Track and Field All-American and won the NCAA Division II outdoor shot put championship in both 2013 and 2014. He also set school records in the indoor and outdoor shot put, as well as the indoor weight throw and outdoor hammer throw, showcasing rare strength that translated directly to his work on the offensive line.

Chris Reed Career

Early Career (2015–2018)

Following the 2015 NFL draft, Christopher Reed signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent. He spent his rookie season on the team’s practice squad while learning the speed and complexity of the professional game. His persistence paid off when he made the Jaguars’ 53-man roster on September 3, 2016.

Reed appeared in 10 games during the 2016 season, making four starts before a toe injury sent him to injured reserve on December 23, 2016. He returned to action in 2017 after a brief stint on waivers, playing in six games and starting three at left guard in place of the injured Patrick Omameh. Those years in Jacksonville gave him his first extended look at NFL action and helped establish him as a reliable interior reserve.

Miami Dolphins Era (2019)

On March 18, 2019, Reed signed with the Miami Dolphins, joining a roster that was in the middle of a rebuilding phase. He appeared in five games for the Dolphins, contributing on the offensive line before being waived on December 4, 2019. His short Dolphins stint added another set of teammates and schemes to his growing professional résumé.

Carolina Panthers Era (2019–2020)

Just one day after being waived by Miami, Reed was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers on December 5, 2019. He joined the Panthers during the back stretch of that season and remained with the organization into the following year. In September 2020, he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Panthers before being activated on September 23, 2020, as teams navigated the challenges of the pandemic-affected schedule.

Indianapolis Colts Era (2021)

Reed signed with the Indianapolis Colts on April 1, 2021, hoping to find a more stable role on a contender in the AFC South. He spent the 2021 season with Indianapolis, adding yet another franchise to his list of NFL stops. The Colts were among several teams that valued his positional flexibility and experience along the interior line.

Minnesota Vikings Era (2022–2023)

On April 1, 2022, Reed signed with the Minnesota Vikings, where he would spend the longest stretch of his career since Jacksonville. Over two seasons with the Vikings, he provided depth at guard and continued to contribute on special teams. He was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list on August 29, 2023, before being activated to the 53-man roster on November 20, 2023, and finishing out the year.

Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints Era (2024)

On July 18, 2024, Reed signed with the Houston Texans, but was released on August 27, 2024, during the final roster cutdowns. Shortly afterward, on September 25, 2024, he was signed to the New Orleans Saints practice squad, giving him another opportunity to compete at the NFL level. He was released by the Saints on October 22, 2024, as the team reshaped its roster during the regular season.

Driving Style and Strengths

Reed’s game is built on the kind of raw, functional strength that he developed as a championship shot putter in college. He plays with a low center of gravity, uses heavy hands at the point of attack, and shows the kind of lateral agility needed to mirror quicker interior rushers. His background as a Division II thrower has also helped him absorb and deliver contact, a trait that coaches tend to value in reserve offensive linemen.

Notable Events and Milestones

One of the defining moments of Christopher Reed’s career came on September 3, 2016, when he made the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie, a milestone that validated years of work. He also started three games at left guard for the Jaguars in 2017 while filling in for the injured Patrick Omameh, and as of the 2023 season had appeared in 70 career NFL games with 30 starts, a remarkable total for a player who began his professional journey on a practice squad.

Chris Reed Career Stats

Through the 2023 NFL season, Christopher Reed had played in 70 regular-season games with 30 starts, numbers that reflect his value as a versatile interior reserve. His career totals reflect steady contributions across multiple franchises rather than the headline statistics posted by skill players.

Chris Reed Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

There is limited publicly available information about Christopher Reed’s parents or extended family background in verified sources. He was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, before relocating to Nebraska for high school, a move that shaped his athletic development.

Personal Life

Christopher Reed has kept much of his personal life private, and there is no verified public information regarding a spouse or children. His known focus outside of football has been his accomplished collegiate track and field career, which included multiple All-American honors and school records in throwing events.

2025 Season Outlook

Entering 2025, Christopher Reed remains a free agent after his release from the New Orleans Saints practice squad on October 22, 2024. His experience of 70 games and 30 starts through the 2023 season, combined with his track record of stepping into starting roles when injuries hit, leaves him as a plausible late-summer signing for teams in need of interior line depth.

His ability to play both guard positions and his unusually strong background as a Division II shot put champion make him a compelling option for clubs looking for a veteran reserve late in camp. Whether he lands on a 53-man roster or a practice squad, Reed’s 2025 outlook depends largely on which teams face injuries along the offensive line during the preseason.