{{Short description|American football player (born 1992)}} {{Use American English|date=September 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Craig Mager | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | number = 29, 49 | position = Cornerback | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|6|11}} | birth_place = Luling, Texas, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 11 | weight_lbs = 200 | high_school = Luling | college = Texas State | draftyear = 2015 | draftround = 3 | draftpick = 83 | pastteams = * San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2018}}) * Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2018}}) | highlights = * Second-team All-Sun Belt (2014) | statlabel1 = Total tackles | statvalue1 = 41 | statlabel2 = Fumble recoveries | statvalue2 = 1 | statlabel3 = Pass deflections | statvalue3 = 6 | statlabel4 = Interceptions | statvalue4 = 1 | pfr = MageCr00 }}
'''Craig Stephen Mager''' (born June 11, 1992) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas State Bobcats.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/sports/features%3A-mager-learns-cope-pain-succeed-texas-state |title=Features: Mager learns to cope with pain to succeed at Texas State | San Marcos Record |access-date=May 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614182427/http://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/sports/features%3A-mager-learns-cope-pain-succeed-texas-state |archive-date=June 14, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As a senior in 2014, Mager earned Second-team All-Sun Belt Conference.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sunbeltsports.org/news/2014/12/10/fb_1210140835.aspx |title=UL Lafayette's McGuire Headlines All-Sun Belt Conference Teams and Individual Award Winners |date=December 10, 2014 |publisher=Sun Belt Conference |work=www.sunbeltsports.org |access-date=December 14, 2016}}</ref> He attended Luling High School, where he played football, basketball, and ran track.
Mager was raised by single mother Cathy Mager, who died on June 15, 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.expressnews.com/sports/pro-sports/cowboys/article/Texas-State-ex-overcomes-mom-s-death-to-become-6268482.php |title=Texas State-ex overcomes mom's death to become draft surprise |newspaper=San Antonio Express-News |date=May 16, 2015 }}</ref>
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 5 | height in = 11 1/2 | weight = 201 | dash = 4.44 | ten split = 1.53 | twenty split = 2.58 | shuttle = 4.07 | cone drill = 6.83 | vertical = 38 | broad ft = 10 | broad in = 10 | bench = 17 | wonderlic = | arm span = 29 3/4 | hand span = 9 1/4 | note = All values from NFL Combine<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/craig-mager/32004d41-4726-3579-b27d-25e52480e159 |title=Craig Mager Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=June 24, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=96203&DraftYear=2015 |title=Craig Mager College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=June 24, 2024}}</ref> }}
===San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers=== ====2015==== The San Diego Chargers selected Mager in the third round (83rd overall) of the 2015 NFL draft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2015 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2015/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He was the 13th cornerback selected in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chargers Land CB Craig Mager in Third Round|url=http://www.chargers.com/news/2015/05/01/chargers-land-cb-craig-mager-third-round|author=Henne, Ricky|website=Chargers.com|date=May 1, 2015|access-date=May 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117133003/http://www.chargers.com/news/2015/05/01/chargers-land-cb-craig-mager-third-round|archive-date=January 17, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> On May 14, 2015, the Chargers signed Mager to a four-year, $2.99 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $330,790.<ref>{{cite web| title=Spotrac.com: Craig Mager contract| url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/los-angeles-chargers/craig-mager-16807/| access-date=January 15, 2018| website=spotrac.com}}</ref>
Throughout training camp, Mager competed against Steve Williams, Chris Davis, Greg Ducre, Richard Crawford, Manny Asprilla, and Lowell Rose.<ref>{{cite web| title=Ourlads.com: San Diego Chargers depth chart: 07/01/2016| url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/173/LAC| access-date=January 15, 2018| website=ourlads.com}}</ref> Head coach Mike McCoy named Mager the fifth cornerback on the Chargers' depth chart, behind Jason Verrett, Brandon Flowers, Patrick Robinson, and Williams.<ref>{{cite web|title=San Diego Chargers Week 1 Depth Chart| url=https://www.boltbeat.com/2015/09/08/san-diego-chargers-week-1-depth-chart/amp/| access-date=January 15, 2018| website=boltbeat.com}}</ref>
On September 20, 2015, Mager made his professional regular season debut in the Chargers' 24–19 loss at the Cincinnati Bengals. He missed five games after suffering a torn hamstring (Weeks 4–8).<ref>{{cite web| title=Chargers rule out Craig Mager, Tourek Williams, and Eric Weddle| url=https://247sports.com/Bolt/Chargers-rule-out-Craig-Mager-Tourek-Williams-and-Eric-Weddle-40489626| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030023027/http://247sports.com/Bolt/Chargers-rule-out-Craig-Mager-Tourek-Williams-and-Eric-Weddle-40489626| url-status=dead| archive-date=October 30, 2015| access-date=January 15, 2018| website=247sports.com}}</ref> On November 9, 2015, he recorded two combined tackles and deflected a pass as the Chargers loss 22–19 at the Chicago Bears. He made his first career tackle on wide receiver Marquess Wilson after he made a 15-yard reception.<ref>{{cite web| title=NFL Game Center: Week 9-2015: Chicago Bears @ San Diego Chargers| url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015110900/2015/REG9/bears@chargers| access-date=January 15, 2018| website=NFL.com}}</ref> On December 24, 2015, Mager earned his first career start and recorded a season-high four combined tackles during a 30–14 victory over the Miami Dolphins. He finished his rookie season with nine combined tackles (eight solo) and two pass deflections in ten games and two starts.<ref>{{cite web| title=NFL Player stats: Craig Mager (2015)| url=http://www.nfl.com/player/craigmager/2552570/gamelogs?season=2015| access-date=January 15, 2018| website=NFL.com}}</ref>
====2016==== Mager entered training camp in 2016 competing against Casey Hayward and Jahleel Addae for the job as third cornerback. Mager was named the fourth cornerback in the depth chart to start the regular season, behind Verrett, Flowers, and Hayward.<ref>{{cite web| title=Ourlads.com: Los Angeles Chargers depth chart: 10/01/2016| url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/188/LAC| access-date=January 16, 2018| website=ourlads.com}}</ref>
On October 2, 2016, Mager made two combined tackles, a pass deflection, and made his first career interception off of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees during a 35–34 loss. The following week, he collected six combined tackles in the Chargers' 34–31 loss at the Oakland Raiders. He missed Weeks 8-9 after suffering a concussion during a 33–30 overtime victory at the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7.<ref>{{cite web| title=Chargers lost Reid to knee injury in OT win at Atlanta| url=https://www.apnews.com/0fa86797b32b4123b777a53d21164855/Chargers-lost-Reid-to-knee-injury-in-OT-win-at-Atlanta| access-date=January 15, 2018| website=apnews.com| date=October 25, 2016}}</ref> On November 27, 2016, Mager made a season-high seven combined tackles in a 21–13 loss at the Houston Texans. Mager missed the last three games of the season after suffering a shoulder and elbow injury in Week 14. On December 31, 2016, the Los Angeles Chargers placed Mager on injured reserve.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chargers' Carlos Fields: Promoted to active roster|url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/chargers-carlos-fields-promoted-to-active-roster/|website=CBSSports.com|date=December 31, 2016}}</ref> He finished the season with 31 combined tackles (20 solo), deflected four passes, and made one interception in eight starts and 11 games.<ref>{{cite web| title=NFL Player stats: Craig Mager| url=http://www.nfl.com/player/craigmager/2552570/gamelogs?season=2016| access-date=January 15, 2018| website=NFL.com}}</ref>
====2017==== Mager entered training camp on the roster bubble and competed for a roster spot against Desmond King, Trovon Reed, Trevor Williams, Brandon Stewart, Randall Evans, Michael Davis, and Jeff Richards.<ref>{{cite web| title=Ourlads.com: Los Angeles Chargers depth chart: 07/01/2016| url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/197/LAC| access-date=January 15, 2018| website=Ourlads.com}}</ref> He suffered a hamstring injury that caused him to miss the end of training camp and first two preseason games.<ref>{{cite web| title=Chargers CB Craig Mager healthy, just in time to fight for roster spot| url=http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-chargers/post/_/id/21287/chargers-cb-craig-mager-gets-healthy-just-in-time-to-fight-for-roster-spot| access-date=January 15, 2018| website=espn.com| author=Eric Williams| date=August 23, 2017}}</ref> On September 3, 2017, Mager was waived by the Chargers and was signed to the practice squad the next day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bolts Add Pair of Players via Waivers|url=https://www.chargers.com/news/bolts-add-pair-of-players-via-waivers-153031|author=Henne, Ricky|website=Chargers.com|date=September 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bolts Bring Geremy Davis, Craig Mager Back on Practice Squad|url=https://www.chargers.com/news/bolts-bring-geremy-davis-craig-mager-back-on-practice-squad-153196|author=Henne, Ricky|website=Chargers.com|date=September 4, 2017}}</ref> He was promoted to the active roster on December 16, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chargers Sign Craig Mager to Active Roster|url=http://www.chargers.com/news/2017/12/16/chargers-sign-craig-mager-active-roster|author=Henne, Ricky|website=Chargers.com|date=December 16, 2017}}</ref>
====2018==== On September 15, 2018, Mager was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.<ref>{{cite web | last=Stanley | first=Matthew | title=Chargers CB Craig Mager placed on IR | website=Bolts From The Blue |publisher=SB Nation| date=2018-09-15 | url=https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2018/9/15/17864480/cb-craig-mager-to-the-ir | access-date=2025-07-27}}</ref> He was released on September 26, 2018.
===Denver Broncos=== On December 19, 2018, Mager was signed by the Denver Broncos a two-year deal.<ref>{{cite web|title=Broncos place CB Chris Harris Jr. on injured reserve, sign CB Craig Mager|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-place-cb-chris-harris-jr-on-injured-reserve-sign-cb-craig-mager|author=DiLalla, Aric|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=December 19, 2018}}</ref> On April 18, 2019, the Broncos released Mager.<ref>{{cite web|title=Broncos sign OL Jake Brendel and CB Trey Johnson, release CB Craig Mager|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-ol-jake-brendel-and-cb-trey-johnson-release-cb-craig-mager|author=DiLalla, Aric|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=April 18, 2019}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.txstatebobcats.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4010 Texas State Bobcats bio]
{{San Diego Chargers 2015 draft navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mager, Craig}} Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:American football cornerbacks Category:American football return specialists Category:American football safeties Category:Denver Broncos players Category:Los Angeles Chargers players Category:People from Luling, Texas Category:Players of American football from Texas Category:San Diego Chargers players Category:Texas State Bobcats football players