Luke Gifford

Luke Gifford (born August 28, 1995) is an American professional football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys in 2019. Gifford has also played for the Tennessee Titans.

Early life Gifford attended Lincoln Southeast High School, where he was a two-way player as a tight end and safety.

As a sophomore, Gifford contributed to the team winning the 2011 state championship.

As a junior, Gifford received second-team All-Nebraska honors.

As a senior, Gifford was named the starting quarterback.

College career

Gifford accepted a football scholarship from University of Nebraska–Lincoln with the intention of playing safety, but was converted into a linebacker.

As a redshirt freshman, Gifford appeared in six games, tallying seven tackles (one for loss) before suffering a season-ending hip injury.

As a sophomore, Gifford appeared in four games as a backup, making only one assisted tackle.

As a junior, Gifford appeared in seven games as a starter at outside linebacker, registering 39 tackles (5 for loss) and 1.5 sacks, until suffering a season-ending hip injury.

As a senior, Gifford appeared in all 12 games, posting 62 tackles, 13 tackles for loss (led the team), 5.5 sacks (led the team), seven quarterback hurries, and a forced fumble.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys Gifford was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent after the 2019 NFL draft on April 30. He suffered a left high ankle sprain in the first preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, after making an interception, a tackle, and a pass deflection. Even though he was injured, the Cowboys protected Gifford's player rights by keeping him on the regular season roster. Gifford returned to action in Week 6 against the New York Jets and was focused on playing special teams. Three weeks later, he had three special teams tackles against the New York Giants. In Week 15 against the Los Angeles Rams, Gifford suffered a fractured left arm while covering a punt return and was ruled out for the remainder of the season. He was placed on injured reserve on December 17. He appeared in six games and tied for fourth on the team with six special teams tackles.

In 2020, Gifford appeared in eight games, playing mostly on special teams. He was declared inactive for the season opener with a hamstring strain. On November 24, Gifford was suspended two games by the NFL for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, forcing him to sit in Week 12 and Week 13. Although Gifford was reinstated from suspension on December 9, the club opted to declared him inactive for two additional games. He finished second on the team with seven special teams tackles.

In 2021, Gifford appeared in 16 games as a backup linebacker and was tied for second on the team with five special teams tackles. He also had six defensive tackles (one for loss). Gifford blocked his first career punt against the New England Patriots. He had a career-high three defensive tackles in the season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. Gifford was declared inactive for the season opener.

On March 21, 2022, Gifford re-signed with the Cowboys on a one-year contract. He appeared in 16 games as a backup linebacker and led the team with a career-high 12 special teams tackles. Gifford also had five defensive tackles and a forced fumble. He had a career-high five special teams tackles and one fumble recovery against the Green Bay Packers. Gifford tallied two special teams tackles and a forced fumble against the Minnesota Vikings. He missed the third game against the New York Giants with a hamstring injury.

Tennessee Titans On March 20, 2023, Gifford signed a two-year contract with the Tennessee Titans. He was limited with injuries and only played in 11 games. Gifford focused mostly on special teams and tallied just eight snaps on defense. On December 23, he was placed on the injured reserve list with a hamstring injury.

On September 3, 2024, the Titans waived Gifford and signed him to their practice squad the following day. Gifford was promoted to the active roster on September 27. He started the season on special teams during the 2024 season, but was elevated to starting linebacker after injuries to Jerome Baker and Kenneth Murray on Week 14, where he tallied 11 tackles. In the next game, Gifford caught his first career interception from Joe Burrow during the opening drive of the loss against the Cincinnati Bengals. Gifford played in 16 games (four starts), finishing with a career high 48 total tackles (31 solo) and two pass deflections.

San Francisco 49ers On March 13, 2025, Gifford signed with the San Francisco 49ers. He made 17 appearances (including nine starts) for San Francisco during the regular season, recording one pass deflection, one fumble recovery, and 35 combined tackles.

On March 13, 2026, Gifford re-signed with the 49ers on a two-year, $5.3 million contract.

NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD FF FR Yds TD 2019 DAL 6 0 6 3 3 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2020 DAL 8 0 6 4 2 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2021 DAL 16 0 11 8 3 0.0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2022 DAL 16 0 17 11 6 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2023 TEN 11 1 6 3 3 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2024 TEN 16 4 49 31 18 0.0 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2025 SF 17 9 35 12 23 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0Career 90 14 130 72 58 0.0 2 1 0 0.0 0 0 3 1 2 0 0

Postseason Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD FF FR Yds TD 2021 DAL 1 0 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2022 DAL 2 0 3 1 2 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2025 SF 1 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Career 4 0 4 2 2 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0