# Craig Mager

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Mager
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{{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](/source/Cornerback)
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1992|6|11}}
| birth_place = [Luling, Texas](/source/Luling%2C_Texas), U.S.
| death_date  = 
| death_place = 
| height_ft   = 5
| height_in   = 11
| weight_lbs  = 200
| high_school = [Luling](/source/Luling_High_School)
| college     = [Texas State](/source/Texas_State_Bobcats_football)
| draftyear   = 2015
| draftround  = 3
| draftpick   = 83
| pastteams   =
* [San Diego](/source/San_Diego_Chargers) / [Los Angeles Chargers](/source/Los_Angeles_Chargers) ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
* [Denver Broncos](/source/Denver_Broncos) ({{NFL Year|2018}})
| highlights  =
* Second-team All-[Sun Belt](/source/Sun_Belt) ([2014](/source/2014_Sun_Belt_Conference_football_season))
| statlabel1  = [Total tackles](/source/Tackle_(football_move))
| statvalue1  = 41
| statlabel2  = [Fumble](/source/Fumble) recoveries
| statvalue2  = 1
| statlabel3  = [Pass deflections](/source/Pass_deflections)
| statvalue3  = 6
| statlabel4  = [Interceptions](/source/Interceptions)
| statvalue4  = 1
| pfr         = MageCr00 
}}

'''Craig Stephen Mager''' (born June 11, 1992) is an American former professional [football](/source/American_football) player who was a [cornerback](/source/cornerback) in the [National Football League](/source/National_Football_League) (NFL). He played [college football](/source/college_football) for the [Texas State Bobcats](/source/Texas_State_Bobcats_football).<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 &#124; 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](/source/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](/source/Luling_High_School), where he played [football](/source/high_school_football), [basketball](/source/basketball), and ran [track](/source/Track_and_field).

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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/San_Diego_Chargers) selected Mager in the third round (83rd overall) of the [2015 NFL draft](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Training_camp_(NFL)), Mager competed against [Steve Williams](/source/Steve_Williams_(cornerback)), [Chris Davis](/source/Chris_Davis_(cornerback)), [Greg Ducre](/source/Greg_Ducre), [Richard Crawford](/source/Richard_Crawford_(American_football)), 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](/source/Mike_McCoy_(American_football_coach)) named Mager the fifth cornerback on the Chargers' [depth chart](/source/depth_chart), behind [Jason Verrett](/source/Jason_Verrett), [Brandon Flowers](/source/Brandon_Flowers_(American_football)), [Patrick Robinson](/source/Patrick_Robinson_(cornerback)), 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](/source/Cincinnati_Bengals). He missed five games after suffering a torn [hamstring](/source/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](/source/Tackle_(football_move)) and deflected a pass as the Chargers loss 22–19 at the [Chicago Bears](/source/Chicago_Bears). He made his first career tackle on wide receiver [Marquess Wilson](/source/Marquess_Wilson) after he made a 15-yard [reception](/source/Reception_(gridiron_football)).<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](/source/Miami_Dolphins). He finished his rookie season with nine combined tackles (eight solo) and two [pass deflections](/source/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](/source/Casey_Hayward) and [Jahleel Addae](/source/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](/source/New_Orleans_Saints) quarterback [Drew Brees](/source/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](/source/Oakland_Raiders). He missed Weeks 8-9 after suffering a [concussion](/source/concussion) during a 33–30 overtime victory at the [Atlanta Falcons](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Los_Angeles_Chargers) placed Mager on [injured reserve](/source/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](/source/Desmond_King_(American_football)), [Trovon Reed](/source/Trovon_Reed), [Trevor Williams](/source/Trevor_Williams_(American_football)), Brandon Stewart, [Randall Evans](/source/Randall_Evans), [Michael Davis](/source/Michael_Davis_(defensive_back)),
and [Jeff Richards](/source/Jeff_Richards_(defensive_back)).<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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Craig Mager](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Mager) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Mager?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.