Kendal Vickers

Kendal Bryant Vickers (born May 3, 1995) is an American professional football defensive tackle. He has previously played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Las Vegas Raiders, Buffalo Bills, and New Orleans Saints, and in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Edmonton Eskimos. He played college football at Tennessee.

Early life Vickers played high school football at Havelock High School.

College career Vickers played at the University of Tennessee from 2013–2017 under head coach Butch Jones.

Professional career

Pittsburgh Steelers Vickers was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2018. He was waived on August 31, 2018, as part of final roster cuts.

Tennessee Titans Vickers was signed by the Tennessee Titans to their practice squad on December 24, 2018, but was released on January 7, 2019.

Edmonton Eskimos Vickers was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on May 19, 2019. He recorded 12 tackles with two sacks during the season. Vickers was released by Edmonton on January 20, 2020, to allow him to pursue NFL opportunities.

Las Vegas Raiders Vickers signed a reserve/futures contract with the Las Vegas Raiders on January 22, 2020. He made the Raiders' 53-man roster out of training camp. Vickers made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020, against the Carolina Panthers, playing nine snaps on defense and one snap on special teams in the Week 1 victory. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 18, and activated three days later. In Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football, Vickers recorded his first career sack on Justin Herbert during the 30–27 overtime loss.

Vickers signed a one-year contract extension with the Raiders on March 2, 2021. He was waived on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on November 10.

On December 6, 2022, Vickers was released by the Raiders.

Buffalo Bills On December 8, 2022, Vickers was signed to the Buffalo Bills practice squad. He was released on December 21. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023.

On August 29, 2023, Vickers was waived by the Bills and re-signed to the practice squad. Vickers was elevated from the practice squad for the Week 5 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he made two tackles in 46 snaps in his Bills debut. On October 31, the Bills released him.

Arizona Cardinals On November 2, 2023, Vickers was signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season, and thus became a free agent upon the expiration of his practice squad contract.

New Orleans Saints On May 13, 2024, Vickers signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints. He was released on August 28, and re-signed to the practice squad. Vickers played in one game for the Saints before he was released on December 18.