Report: Ex-Jaguars Linebacker Austin Calitro Claimed by Bengals
It didn't take long for ex-Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Austin Calitro to find a new home after being released by the Jaguars. In fact, it only took about a day.
The Jaguars released the fourth-year linebacker on Monday to make room on the 90-man roster after drafting 12 rookies in last week's 2020 NFL Draft and then signing 18 undrafted free agents. On Tuesday, Calitro was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
The Jaguars placed an exclusive rights tender on Calitro earlier this offseason, but the linebacker room quickly became crowded with the free agency additions of Joe Schobert and Cassius Marsh and the drafting of fourth-round linebacker Shaquille Quarterman from Miami.
Calitro has played in 29 games with nine starts during his three-year (2017-19) NFL career. The former Seattle Seahawk played in 13 games for the Jaguars last season and started at weakside linebacker for the team's final three games. The veteran depth player recorded 40 tackles (28 solo), including four tackles for loss and one sack in 2019.
Calitro will once again be joining a crowded linebacker room, but it won't feature as many surefire starters as the one he is leaving in Jacksonville. The Bengals drafted two linebackers in the draft, selecting Wyoming linebacker Logan Wilson in the third round with the No. 65 overall pick, and then also taking Appalachian State linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither with a fourth-round selection, making him the No. 107 overall pick.
Calitro is one of five players the Jaguars released on Monday, and he is the first one to be claimed off waivers or signed by another team. The other players include K Jon Brown, OL Donnell Greene, WR Charone Peake, and WR/CB Jayson Stanley.
