{{Short description|American football player (born 1992)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Curtis Riley | image = Curtis Riley (5091291) (cropped).jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Riley with the New York Giants in 2019 | current_team = | number = 35, 37 | position = Safety | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|7|18|mf=y}} | birth_place = White Plains, New York, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 0 | weight_lbs = 190 | high_school = University (Orlando, Florida) | college = Fresno State | undraftedyear = 2015 | pastteams = * Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2017}}) * New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2018}}) * Oakland Raiders ({{NFL Year|2019}}) * Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2020}})* * Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2020}}) * Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2020}}) * Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2021}}) | status = | statlabel1 = Total tackles | statvalue1 = 131 | statlabel2 = Forced fumbles | statvalue2 = 1 | statlabel3 = Pass deflections | statvalue3 = 8 | statlabel4 = Interceptions | statvalue4 = 5 | statlabel5 = Defensive touchdowns | statvalue5 = 1 | pfr = RileCu00 }}
'''Curtis Kaazim Riley Jr.''' (born July 18, 1992) is an American former professional football safety. He played college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, and Minnesota Vikings.
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 0 | weight = 190 | dash = 4.50 | ten split = 1.55 | twenty split = 2.60 | shuttle = 4.24 | cone drill = 6.72 | vertical = 38.5 | broad ft = 10 | broad in = 9 | wonderlic = | arm span = 32 | hand span = 9 1/8 | note = All values from Fresno State's Pro Day<ref>{{cite web |title=Curtis Riley, DS #39 CB, Fresno State |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=130100&DraftYear=2015 |accessdate=October 16, 2018 |website=DraftScout.com}}</ref> }}
===Tennessee Titans=== Riley went undrafted in the 2015 NFL draft. On May 4, 2015, the Tennessee Titans signed Riley to a three-year, $1.58 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $12,000.<ref>{{cite web|title=Titans Agree to Terms with 14 Undrafted Free Agents|url=http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Agree-to-Terms-with-14-Undrafted-Free-Agents/3d0a3579-bc48-4c4a-bb5f-03f8f170ac40|website=TitansOnline.com|date=May 11, 2015|accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref><ref name="spotrac">{{cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Curtis Riley contract |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-york-giants/curtis-riley-17354/ |accessdate=October 16, 2018 |website=Spotrac.com}}</ref>
====2015==== Throughout training camp, Riley competed for a roster spot as a backup cornerback and special teams player against Khalid Wooten, Marqueston Huff, Cody Riggs, Jemea Thomas, and Ri'Shard Anderson.<ref>{{cite web |last=Climer |first=David |date=July 27, 2015 |title=Perrish Cox should improve Titans' cornerback play |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2015/07/27/perrish-cox-should-improve-titans-cornerback-play/30739409/ |accessdate=October 16, 2018 |website=Tennessean.com}}</ref> On August 10, 2015, the Titans waived Riley after he injured his ankle while making an interception during practice. He reverted to injured reserve after clearing waivers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Titans activate nose tackle Hill off PUP; waive/injured CB Riley |url=https://247sports.com/nfl/tennessee-titans/article/titans-activate-nose-tackle-hill-off-pup-waiveinjured-cb-riley-38658740/ |access-date=October 16, 2018 |website=247Sports.com |author=McCormick, Terry |date=August 10, 2015}}</ref> On November 3, 2015, the Titans fired head coach Ken Whisenhunt after they fell to a 1–6 record and promoted assistant head coach/tight ends coach Mike Mularkey to interim head coach for the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Titans fire coach Ken Whisenhunt |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14042981/ken-whisenhunt-fired-coach-tennessee-titans |accessdate=October 16, 2018 |website=ESPN.com |date=November 4, 2015}}</ref>
====2016==== Riley entered training camp as a backup cornerback and competed for a roster spot against B. W. Webb, Valentino Blake, Kalan Reed, Bennett Okotcha, Cody Riggs, and Josh Aubrey.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ourlads.com: Tennessee Titans Depth Chart: 07/01/2016 |url=https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/185/TEN |accessdate=October 16, 2018 |website=Ourlads.com}}</ref> On September 2, 2016, the Titans officially waived Riley as part of their final roster cuts, but signed him to their practice squad the following day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Titans Down to 53 Players: A Position-by-Position Look|url=http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Down-to-53-Players-A-Position-by-Position-Look/628127bc-7013-4906-a04d-bd1f9e8ce8fa|last=Wyatt|first=Jim|website=TitansOnline.com|date=September 2, 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807023144/http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Down-to-53-Players-A-Position-by-Position-Look/628127bc-7013-4906-a04d-bd1f9e8ce8fa|archivedate=August 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Titans Sign Nine Players to Practice Squad|url=http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Sign-Nine-Players-to-Practice-Squad/ab4be6fb-eb1b-4c00-86ff-598aa538dc09|last=Wyatt|first=Jim|website=TitansOnline.com|date=September 4, 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816110800/http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Sign-Nine-Players-to-Practice-Squad/ab4be6fb-eb1b-4c00-86ff-598aa538dc09|archivedate=August 16, 2017}}</ref> On September 22, 2016, the Titans promoted Riley to their active roster.<ref>{{cite web|title=Titans Promote CB Curtis Riley to Active Roster|url=http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Promote-CB-Curtis-Riley-to-Active-Roster/5a91ab8c-7f97-42b9-8ecd-271b986069f5|last=Wyatt|first=Jim|website=TitansOnline.com|date=September 22, 2016}}</ref>
On October 9, 2016, Riley made his professional regular season debut in the Titans' 30–17 victory at the Miami Dolphins in Week 3. Riley was inactive as a healthy scratch for eight of the next 11 games (Weeks 6–7, 10–11, and 14–17).<ref>{{cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Curtis Riley (2016) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/curtisriley/2553822/gamelogs?season=2016 |accessdate=October 16, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}</ref>
====2017==== Riley competed for a roster spot as a backup safety against Brynden Trawick, Da'Norris Searcy, and Denzel Johnson.<ref>{{cite web |title=Titans release unofficial depth chart |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2017/08/07/titans-release-unofficial-depth-chart/546533001/ |accessdate=October 16, 2018 |website=tennessean.com |date=August 7, 2017}}</ref> Head coach Mike Mularkey named Riley the backup free safety to start the season, behind Kevin Byard.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ourlads.com: Tennessee Titans Depth Chart: 10/01/2017 |url=https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/200/TEN |accessdate=October 16, 2018 |website=Ourlads.com}}</ref>
Riley was inactive for the Titans' season-opening loss to the Oakland Raiders. On September 17, 2017, Riley made one solo tackle, broke up a pass, and made his first career interception off a pass by quarterback Blake Bortles in the second half of a 37–16 victory at the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2. The interception helped set up the Titans on an eventual field goal scoring drive to close out the first half.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201709170jax.htm|title=Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars - September 17th, 2017|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|accessdate=October 18, 2017}}</ref> In Week 4, he collected a season-high four solo tackles during a 57–14 loss at the Houston Texans.<ref>{{cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Curtis Riley (2017) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/curtisriley/2553822/gamelogs?season=2017 |accessdate=October 16, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> Riley was inactive for eight of the next nine games (Week 9–15). He finished the season with 12 combined tackles (eight solo), two pass deflections, and one interception in four games and zero starts.<ref name="career">{{cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Curtis Riley (career) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/curtisriley/2553822/careerstats |accessdate=October 17, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}</ref>
===New York Giants=== On March 16, 2018, the New York Giants signed Riley to a one-year, $630,000 contract.<ref>{{cite web|title=New York Giants sign G Patrick Omameh, DB Curtis Riley|url=https://www.giants.com/news/giants-sign-g-patrick-omameh-db-curtis-riley-20459834|author=Eisen, Michael|website=Giants.com|date=March 16, 2018}}</ref> Riley was reunited with Giants assistant defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend, who had previously held the same position with the Titans.
Riley started training camp as a cornerback and competed against Donte Deayon for a roster spot as the first-team nickelback, but was moved to safety after Darian Thompson suffered a hamstring injury. He competed to be the starting free safety against Thompson, Andrew Adams, Michael Thomas, and William Gay.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Giants' free safety position battle got turned upside down in preseason |url=https://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2018/08/how_giants_free_safety_position_battle_got_turned.html |accessdate=October 17, 2018 |website=nj.com |date=August 26, 2018}}</ref> Head coach Pat Shurmur named Riley the starting free safety to begin the regular season. He started alongside strong safety Landon Collins and cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple.<ref>{{cite web |title=Giants release regular season depth chart: Instant analysis |url=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2018/09/05/new-york-giants-regular-season-depth-chart-instant-analysis/ |accessdate=October 17, 2018 |website=giantswire.usatoday.com |date=September 5, 2018 |author=Fennelly, John}}</ref>
He made his first career start in the Giants' season-opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars and recorded six combined tackles in their 20–15 loss. On October 7, 2018, Riley recorded three solo tackles, deflected a pass, and intercepted a pass by quarterback Cam Newton during a 33–31 loss at the Carolina Panthers in Week 5.<ref>{{cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Curtis Riley (2018) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/curtisriley/2553822/gamelogs?season=2018 |accessdate=October 17, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> On December 9 against the Washington Redskins, he scored his first NFL touchdown after intercepting a pass from Mark Sanchez.
===Oakland Raiders=== On March 22, 2019, Riley signed a one-year contract worth $810,000 with the Oakland Raiders.<ref>{{cite web|title=Raiders sign S Curtis Riley|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-sign-s-curtis-riley|website=Raiders.com|date=March 22, 2019}}</ref>
===Pittsburgh Steelers=== On August 3, 2020, Riley signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Steelers sign Riley for depth at safety|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-sign-riley-for-depth-at-safety|website=Steelers.com|date=August 3, 2020|accessdate=August 3, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803211304/https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-sign-riley-for-depth-at-safety|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was released by Pittsburgh on September 6, 2020, and was subsequently re-signed to the practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Steelers sign Dobbs, Davis|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-sign-dobbs-davis|author=Varley, Teresa|website=Steelers.com|date=September 6, 2020|access-date=September 9, 2020|archive-date=September 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906203933/https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-sign-dobbs-davis|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Arizona Cardinals=== On September 17, 2020, the Arizona Cardinals signed Riley to their active roster off of the Steelers' practice squad after Arizona's starting safety Jalen Thompson suffered an injury in Week 1 and was placed on injured reserve.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jalen Thompson Placed On IR; Cards Sign Curtis Riley |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/safety-jalen-thompson-injured-reserve-sign-curtis-riley |website=AZCardinals.com |date=September 17, 2020 |accessdate=October 4, 2020}}</ref> He was released by Arizona on October 6,<ref>{{cite news |author=Urban, Darren |title=Cardinals Promote Jonathan Ward, Release Curtis Riley |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-promote-jonathan-ward-release-curtis-riley |website=AZCardinals.com |date=October 6, 2020 |accessdate=October 26, 2020}}</ref> and was re-signed to the practice squad the following day.<ref>{{cite news |author=Root, Jess |title=Cardinals bring back S Curtis Riley to practice squad, reinstate Kentrell Brice |url=https://cardswire.usatoday.com/2020/10/07/cardinals-bring-back-s-curtis-riley-to-practice-squad-reinstate-kentrell-brice/ |website=USAToday.com |date=October 7, 2020 |accessdate=October 26, 2020}}</ref> Riley was elevated to the active roster on October 10 for the team's Week 5 game against the New York Jets, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.<ref>{{cite news |author=Urban, Darren |title=Cardinals Elevate Curtis Riley, Evan Baylis From Practice Squad |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-elevate-curtis-riley-evan-baylis-from-practice-squad |website=AZCardinals.com |date=October 10, 2020 |accessdate=October 26, 2020}}</ref>
===Minnesota Vikings=== On October 30, 2020, the Minnesota Vikings signed Riley to their active roster off the Cardinals' practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vikings Place CB Mike Hughes on Reserve/Injured List; Announce Roster Moves|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/mike-hughes-ir-reserve-injured|website=Vikings.com|date=October 30, 2020}}</ref> Riley was waived by Minnesota on December 12,<ref>{{cite tweet |user=Vikings |title=The #Vikings have signed LB Hardy Nickerson (@younghardy_) to the active roster. LB Blake Lynch has been elevated to the active roster for #MINvsTB and S Curtis Riley has been waived. |number=1337842334570967040 |date=December 12, 2020 |access-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref> and was re-signed to the practice squad three days later.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vikings place Kris Boyd on IR, activate Mark Fields|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/12/15/vikings-place-kris-boyd-on-ir-activate-mark-fields/|author=Simmons, Myles|work=Pro Football Talk|publisher=NBC Sports|date=December 15, 2020}}</ref> His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 11, 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=Five players have contracts expire |url=https://www.fantasyguru.com/vikings-five-players-have-contracts-expire/ |website=FantasyGuru.com |date=January 11, 2021 |access-date=February 17, 2021 |archive-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118094552/https://www.fantasyguru.com/vikings-five-players-have-contracts-expire/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Tampa Bay Buccaneers=== On May 17, 2021, Riley signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bucs Sign Four Veterans After Weekend Tryout|url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-sign-nfl-veterans-adams-hamilton-pope-riley-roster-moves|author=Smith, Scott|website=Buccaneers.com|date=May 17, 2021}}</ref> On July 22, he was waived/injured and placed on injured reserve.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bucs Put Two On PUP List, Waive S Curtis Riley|url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-waive-curtis-riley-place-franklin-wilcox-pup-list-roster-moves|author=Smith, Scott|website=Buccaneers.com|date=July 22, 2021|access-date=July 24, 2021|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724170451/https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-waive-curtis-riley-place-franklin-wilcox-pup-list-roster-moves|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Riley, Curtis}} Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from White Plains, New York Category:Players of American football from Westchester County, New York Category:University High School (Orlando, Florida) alumni Category:American football defensive backs Category:Fresno State Bulldogs football players Category:Tennessee Titans players Category:New York Giants players Category:Oakland Raiders players Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players Category:Arizona Cardinals players Category:Minnesota Vikings players Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players