Eric Tomlinson Bio
Eric Tomlinson (born April 22, 1992) is an American professional football tight end who has spent more than a decade navigating NFL rosters across the league. After going undrafted out of the University of Texas at El Paso in 2015, he built his career through practice squads, short stints, and re-signings with multiple franchises. He is currently listed as a member of the Los Angeles Chargers, the latest stop on a journeyman path that has included stops in Philadelphia, Houston, New York, New England, Oakland, Baltimore, Denver, and Indianapolis.
Standing 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) and listed at 263 lb (119 kg), Tomlinson has used his frame as a blocking tight end while also contributing as a short-yardage and red-zone receiving target. Through the early weeks of the 2024 season, he had recorded 27 receptions for 280 yards and 3 receiving touchdowns across his professional career. His longevity in a league that often moves on quickly from undrafted players reflects steady special-teams play and dependable in-line work.
Early Life and Background
Eric Tomlinson was born on April 22, 1992, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, though he grew up in Texas. He attended Klein High School in Klein, Texas, where he played high school football and developed into a Division I recruit at the tight end position. His high school career gave him the foundation he would later lean on as he transitioned to the college level.
Coming out of Klein High School, Tomlinson drew attention from college programs and ultimately chose to play for the UTEP Miners of the University of Texas at El Paso. The move took him from the Texas suburbs to the Conference USA level, where he spent the next four seasons refining his game and adding the size that would later define his professional profile.
Path to American Football
Tomlinson joined the UTEP Miners in 2011 and contributed to the program through the 2014 season. He appeared in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on January 17, 2015, as part of head coach Mike Holmgren’s American team, an all-star showcase designed to spotlight draft-eligible prospects. The game offered him a final opportunity to demonstrate his blocking and receiving skills in front of league scouts.
He then attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he was one of 19 collegiate tight ends to participate. Tomlinson followed that up by working out at UTEP’s pro day on April 9, 2015, improving on several of his combine times, including a 4.77-second 40-yard dash. NFLDraftScout.com ranked him as the 20th-best tight end prospect in his class, and analysts projected him as an undrafted free agent heading into the 2015 NFL draft.
Eric Tomlinson Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
After going unselected in the 2015 NFL draft, Eric Tomlinson signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent. He was released during final roster cuts on September 4, 2015, but quickly found a new home when the Houston Texans signed him to their practice squad on September 6, 2015. Tomlinson spent his entire rookie season on the Texans’ practice squad, learning the pro game from the sideline.
The Texans released him during final cuts on September 3, 2016, and re-signed him to the practice squad the following day. His early professional years were defined by patience, practice-squad development, and a willingness to do the dirty work required of bottom-of-the-roster tight ends. That persistence paid off when the New York Jets signed him off the Texans’ practice squad on November 5, 2016.
New York Jets Breakthrough (2016–2018)
With the New York Jets, Tomlinson carved out a meaningful role and recorded his first official NFL receiving statistics in the 2017 season opener. On September 10, 2017, he caught two passes for 25 yards in a 21–12 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Later that season, on October 29, 2017, he hauled in his first career touchdown, a 20-yard pass from quarterback Josh McCown, in a game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Tomlinson’s most productive Jets season came in 2018, when he played in 15 games with 12 starts and recorded eight receptions for 72 yards. A late-season injury placed him on injured reserve on December 27, 2018, but the Jets still valued his blocking presence enough to re-sign him on March 19, 2019. He was released during final cuts on August 31, 2019.
New York Giants (First Stint) and New England Patriots (2019)
On September 1, 2019, the New York Giants claimed Tomlinson off waivers, but his stay was short, and he was waived on September 24, 2019. Shortly afterward, on October 15, 2019, he signed with the New England Patriots. In his debut for New England, he recorded one catch for one yard against his former team, the New York Jets, before being released on October 29, 2019.
Just over a month later, on December 11, 2019, the Oakland Raiders signed Tomlinson, rounding out a 2019 season that saw him join three different franchises. The pattern of quick signings and short stays became a familiar theme as he worked to extend his career.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2020–2021)
Tomlinson signed with the New York Giants again on March 30, 2020, and bounced between the active roster and practice squad before being waived on November 13, 2020. The Baltimore Ravens signed him to their practice squad on November 23, 2020, and elevated him to the active roster multiple times during the final weeks of the regular season.
He was promoted to the Ravens’ active roster on December 22, 2020, and signed a one-year contract extension on February 10, 2021. Tomlinson was released on August 31, 2021, re-signed the next day, released again on November 1, 2021, and promoted back to the active roster on November 11, 2021. Across two seasons in Baltimore, he provided depth at tight end and contributed on special teams.
Denver Broncos and Houston Texans Era (2022–2023)
On March 16, 2022, Tomlinson signed a one-year contract with the Denver Broncos. He was released during final roster cuts on August 30, 2022, and re-signed the very next day, but his time in Denver ended shortly thereafter. The following offseason, on May 3, 2023, he signed with the Houston Texans for a second stint with the club, though he was released on May 18 before being re-signed on July 24, 2023, and ultimately released again on August 29, 2023.
He returned to Baltimore on October 3, 2023, joining the Ravens’ practice squad for a second stint before being released on November 14, 2023. The cycle of practice-squad signings and short stays continued as he worked to find a stable role.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024–Present)
On January 2, 2024, Tomlinson signed with the Indianapolis Colts practice squad and later signed a reserve/future contract on January 8. The Colts released him on August 27, 2024, and just two days later, on August 29, 2024, the Los Angeles Chargers signed him to their practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on September 7, 2024, beginning his current tenure with the Chargers.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 ft 6 in and 263 lb, Eric Tomlinson plays a classic in-line tight end role built around run blocking, pass protection, and short-area receiving. His size makes him an effective red-zone target, which is reflected in his career three receiving touchdowns, and his willingness to contribute on special teams has helped him survive numerous roster reshuffles. Practice-squad stints with multiple franchises have also made him a trusted veteran voice in tight-end rooms.
Notable Events and Milestones
Tomlinson’s most memorable career moment came on October 29, 2017, when he caught his first career touchdown pass, a 20-yard strike from Josh McCown against the Atlanta Falcons. He also appeared in the 2015 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl as part of Mike Holmgren’s American team, an early-career milestone that helped him reach the NFL as an undrafted free agent.
Eric Tomlinson Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Eric Tomlinson was born and raised with ties to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he was born, and Klein, Texas, where he attended high school. Public details about his parents and immediate family are limited, and he has kept his personal life largely out of the spotlight throughout his professional career. His journey from Texas high school football to a multi-team NFL resume reflects a family foundation that supported his pursuit of the sport.
There is no widely confirmed public information about a spouse or children at this stage of his career, and he tends to keep personal matters private. As a result, this section focuses on the verifiable facts surrounding his upbringing and path to the league.
2025 Season Outlook
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Eric Tomlinson is positioned as a depth tight end with the Los Angeles Chargers after being promoted from the practice squad in early September 2024. His experience blocking in heavy packages and contributing on special teams gives him a clear role behind the team’s top tight ends, with the potential to see red-zone snaps given his size and 3 career touchdowns.
The Chargers’ tight-end room will be a key area to watch, and Tomlinson’s veteran presence offers insurance against injuries at the position. After stops with more than ten franchises over a decade, he brings a steady, low-maintenance profile that coaches often rely on during a long season.
His outlook for 2025 hinges on staying healthy, continuing to produce in practice, and capitalizing on whatever opportunities arise during the season. Given his track record of bouncing back from release and finding new teams quickly, Tomlinson remains a reliable depth option in the NFL.