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Darren Fells

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Darren Fells
refer to caption
Fells with the Cleveland Browns in 2018
No. 85, 87, 88, 80
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1986-04-22) April 22, 1986 (age 38)
Fullerton, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:270 lb (122 kg)
Career information
High school:Fullerton Union
(Fullerton, California)
College:UC Irvine
Undrafted:2013
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:127
Receiving yards:1,526
Receiving touchdowns:21

Darren Andre Fells[1] (born April 22, 1986) is a former American football tight end. He did not play college football, instead playing college basketball at the University of California, Irvine. Prior to his NFL career, Fells played professional basketball in several countries and was then signed by the Seattle Seahawks in 2013. He has also played for the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Early years

Fells attended Fullerton Union High School in Fullerton, California, where he played basketball and was selected to the All-CIF Southern Section II-A second team as a junior while averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds as the team's center.[2] Fells was also named All-Freeway League second team in his junior season.[2]

Professional basketball career

Darren Fells
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight244 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High schoolFullerton Union (Fullerton, California)
CollegeUC Irvine (2004–2008)
NBA draft2008: undrafted
Playing career2008–2012
PositionPower forward / center
Number14, 12, 7
Career history
2008–2010Leuven Bears (Belgium)
2010–2011Kataja (Finland)
2011Étendard de Brest (France)
2011–2012Soles de Mexicali (Mexico)
2008 and 2012Obras Sanitarias (Argentina)
Career highlights and awards
  • Second-team All-Big West (2008)
  • 2× honorable mention All-Big West (2006–2007)

From 2008 to 2012, Fells played professional basketball in Argentina, Mexico, Belgium, Finland, and France.[3]

As a rookie on the Basketball League Belgium Division I team Leuven Bears in 2008–09, Fells wore the jersey #14 and averaged 9.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 33 games.[4] In his second season with the team in 2009–10, Fells averaged 8.1 points and 4.7 rebounds.[5]

In the 2010–11 season, Fells played for Kataja Basket Club of the Finnish Korisliiga, wearing jersey #7. In 55 games, he averaged 13.8 points and 8.3 rebounds.[6] Kataja were runners-up of the 2011 Korisliiga Finals.[7]

A Étendard de Brest of French LNB Pro B,[8] Fells played 25 games for Soles de Mexicali of the Mexican Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional in the 2011–12 season and wore jersey #12. He averaged 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds.[9] After the LNBP season ended, Fells played nine games for Obras Sanitarias of the Argentine Liga Nacional de Basquet from March to April 2012 and averaged 6.9 points and 4.7 rebounds.[10] Like at Soles de Mexicali, Fells wore jersey #12 for Obras.[11]

In December 2012, Fells signed with Libertad de Sunchales but did not play any games.[12]

Professional football career

Seattle Seahawks

On March 6, 2013, Fells was signed by the Seattle Seahawks.[13] On May 18, he was waived by the team,[14] but was re-signed two days later.

On August 31, 2013, Fells was released by the Seahawks.

Arizona Cardinals

2013 season

On October 9, 2013, Fells signed with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. On January 1, 2014, he was re-signed to a reserve/future contract.

2014 season

Fells entered training camp competing with John Carlson, Troy Niklas, and Jake Ballard to be a backup tight end. He was named the fifth tight end on the Cardinals' depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Rob Housler, John Carlson, Troy Niklas, and Jake Ballard.[15]

During a Week 3 23–14 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, Fells made his first NFL start but recorded no statistics.[16] During a Week 15 12–6 road victory over the St. Louis Rams, he made his first NFL reception on a six-yard pass from Carson Palmer.[17] In the regular-season finale against the 49ers, Fells caught a 24-yard pass for his longest catch of the season and finished the 17–20 road loss with two receptions for 39 yards.[18]

Fells finished the 2014 season with five receptions for 71 yards in 10 games and five starts.[19] On January 3, 2015, he appeared in his first NFL postseason game after the Cardinals finished the season with an 11–5 record.[20] During the Wild Card round against the Carolina Panthers, Fells scored his first NFL touchdown on a one-yard reception from Ryan Lindley in the 27-16 road loss.[21]

2015 season

Fells started the 2015 season as the second tight end behind Jermaine Gresham.

During the season-opening 31–19 victory over the New Orleans Saints, Fells recorded four receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown.[22] During a Week 6 25–13 road loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, he had a nine-yard reception before suffering a shoulder sprain that kept him out the next two games.[23]

Fells finished the 2015 season with a then-career-high 21 receptions for 311 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games and 12 starts.[24] In the postseason, Fells caught four receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown before the team lost to the Panthers in the NFC Championship Game.[25]

2016 season

On February 1, 2016, Fells re-signed with the Cardinals on a one-year deal.[26]

Fells remained the Cardinals' second tight end behind Gresham. During a Week 2 40–7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Fells had a career-high four receptions for 31 yards.[27] In the regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Rams, Fells recorded his only touchdown of the season on a 37-yard touchdown reception from Carson Palmer during the 44–7 road victory.[28]

Fells finished the 2016 season with 14 receptions for 154 yards and a touchdown in 14 games and seven starts.[29]

Detroit Lions

On March 11, 2017, Fells signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Detroit Lions.[30] He entered training camp competing with Cole Wick, Khari Lee, and Michael Roberts to be the backup tight end. Fells was named the backup behind Eric Ebron to begin the regular season. Ebron struggled with drops in the first half of the season, and Fells saw increased snaps and eventually started in place of him.

During a Week 5 27–24 loss to the Panthers, Fells had his first two-touchdown game when he recorded two passes for 24 yards, both for touchdowns.[31] In the next game against the Saints, Fells had two receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown during the 52–38 road loss.[32]

Fells finished the 2017 season with 17 receptions for 177 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games and 13 starts.[33]

Cleveland Browns

On March 15, 2018, Fells signed a three-year contract with the Cleveland Browns.[34]

During a Week 4 45–42 overtime road loss to the Oakland Raiders, Fells had a 49-yard touchdown reception.[35] He finished the 2018 season with 11 receptions for 117 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games and 11 starts.[36]

On March 11, 2019, Fells was released by the Browns.[37]

Houston Texans

2019 season

On March 18, 2019, Fells signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans.[38]

During a Week 3 27–20 road victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, Fells had five receptions for 49 yards and his first touchdown of the season.[39] Two weeks later against the Atlanta Falcons, he recorded two receptions for 20 yards, both for touchdowns, in the 53–32 victory.[40] During a Week 8 27–24 victory over the Raiders, Fells had six receptions for 58 yards and two touchdowns.[41]

During a Week 13 28–22 victory over the New England Patriots, Fells set the single-season record for most touchdown receptions by a tight end in franchise history after recording two receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown.[42] The record was previously held by Owen Daniels and Joel Dreessen.[43]

Fells finished the 2019 season with 34 receptions for 341 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games and 14 starts, all career-highs.[44] In the postseason, he had seven receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown before the Texans lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round.[45]

2020 season

On March 10, 2020, Fells was re-signed to a two-year, $7 million contract by the Texans.[46]

During a Week 5 30–14 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Fells recorded two receptions for 57 yards and a 44-yard touchdown. The touchdown was the Texans' longest play from scrimmage during the first five weeks of the season.[47] In the next game against the Tennessee Titans, Fells had six receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown during the 42–36 overtime road loss.[48] He finished the 2020 season with 21 receptions for 312 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games and 14 starts.[49]

On March 18, 2021, Fells was released by the Texans.[50]

Detroit Lions (second stint)

Fells signed with the Detroit Lions on May 5, 2021.[51] On November 8, he requested and was granted his release from the team.[52]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On November 10, 2021, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Fells to their practice squad.[53] He appeared in two games and recorded no statistics.[54]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2014 ARI 10 5 5 71 14.2 24 0
2015 ARI 14 12 21 311 14.8 48 3
2016 ARI 14 7 14 154 11.0 37T 1
2017 DET 16 13 17 177 10.4 23 3
2018 CLE 16 11 11 117 10.6 49T 3
2019 HOU 16 14 34 341 10.0 24 7
2020 HOU 16 14 21 312 14.9 44T 4
2021 DET 7 5 4 43 10.8 24 0
TB 2 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
Career 111 81 127 1,526 12.0 49T 21

Postseason

Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2014 ARI 1 1 1 1 1.0 1T 1
2015 ARI 2 1 4 50 12.5 21T 1
2019 HOU 2 2 7 59 8.4 14 1
Career 5 4 12 110 9.2 21T 3

Personal life

Fells is the younger brother of former NFL tight end Daniel Fells.

References

  1. ^ "Darren Fells Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "California-Irvine Profile". ucirvinesports.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014.
  3. ^ "From Hoops To Tight End". azcardinals.com. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  4. ^ "Stella Artois Leuven Bears basketball, News, Roster, Rumors, Stats, Awards, Transactions, Details-eurobasket".
  5. ^ "Stella Artois Leuven Bears basketball, News, Roster, Rumors, Stats, Awards, Transactions, Details-eurobasket".
  6. ^ "Joensuun Kataja Basket basketball, News, Roster, Rumors, Stats, Awards, Transactions, Details-eurobasket".
  7. ^ "Joensuun Kataja Basket basketball, News, Roster, Rumors, Stats, Awards, Transactions, Details-eurobasket".
  8. ^ "Etendard de Brest basketball, News, Roster, Rumors, Stats, Awards, Transactions, Details-eurobasket".
  9. ^ "Soles de Mexicali basketball, News, Roster, Rumors, Stats, Awards, Transactions, Details-latinbasket".
  10. ^ "Darren Andre Fells profile | Game center | FIBA.com". Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  11. ^ "Obras Basket Buenos Aires basketball, News, Roster, Rumors, Stats, Awards, Transactions, Details-latinbasket".
  12. ^ "Basquet Plus". Archived from the original on January 28, 2015.
  13. ^ "Seattle Seahawks sign former pro basketball player Darren Fells". nfl.com. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
  14. ^ "Seahawks waive tight end Darren Fells". nbcsports.com. May 8, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  15. ^ "Ourlads.com: Arizona Cardinal's depth chart: 08/31/2014". Ourlads.com. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  16. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals – September 21st, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  17. ^ "Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams – December 11th, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  18. ^ "Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers – December 28th, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  19. ^ "Darren Fells 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  20. ^ "2014 Arizona Cardinals Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  21. ^ "Wild Card - Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers - January 3rd, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. January 3, 2015. Archived from the original on July 30, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  22. ^ "NFL Game Center: Week 1–2015: New Orleans Saints @ Arizona Cardinals". NFL.com. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  23. ^ Daniel Kramer (October 19, 2015). "Darren Fells Injury: Updates on Cardinals TE's Shoulder and Return". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  24. ^ "Darren Fells 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  25. ^ "NFC Championship - Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers - January 24th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  26. ^ Pantorno, Joe (February 1, 2016). "Darren Fells, Cardinals Agree on New Contract: Latest Details and Reaction". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  27. ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arizona Cardinals – September 18th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  28. ^ "NFL Game Center: Week 17-2016: Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams". NFL.com. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  29. ^ "Darren Fells 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  30. ^ "Lions sign free agent TE Darren Fells". DetroitLions.com. March 11, 2017.
  31. ^ "Carolina Panthers at Detroit Lions – October 8th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  32. ^ "Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints – October 15th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  33. ^ "Darren Fells 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  34. ^ Maks, Patrick (March 15, 2018). "Browns sign DL Chris Smith, DB Terrance Mitchell, OL Donald Stephenson, TE Darren Fells". ClevelandBrowns.com.
  35. ^ "Cleveland Browns at Oakland Raiders – September 30th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  36. ^ "Darren Fells 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  37. ^ "Browns release TE Darren Fells". ClevelandBrowns.com. March 11, 2019.
  38. ^ Alper, Josh (March 18, 2019). "Texans sign Darren Fells". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Archived from the original on March 19, 2019. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  39. ^ "Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers – September 22nd, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  40. ^ "Atlanta Falcons at Houston Texans – October 6th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  41. ^ "Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans – October 27th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  42. ^ "New England Patriots at Houston Texans – December 1st, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  43. ^ Wilson, Aaron (December 3, 2019). "Texans tight end Darren Fells sets franchise record". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  44. ^ "Darren Fells 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  45. ^ "Divisional Round - Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs - January 12th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  46. ^ Patra, Kevin (March 10, 2020). "Texans agree to contracts with K Fairbairn, TE Fells". NFL.com. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  47. ^ "Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans – October 11th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  48. ^ "Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans – October 18th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  49. ^ "Darren Fells 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  50. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (3-18-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. March 18, 2021.
  51. ^ "Lions sign free agent TE Darren Fells". DetroitLions.com. May 5, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  52. ^ "Detroit Lions reportedly release veteran tight end Darren Fells". mlive. November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  53. ^ Smith, Scott (November 10, 2021). "Bucs Add Breshad Perriman, Darren Fells to Practice Squad". Buccaneers.com.
  54. ^ "Darren Fells 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
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