# Justin Zimmer

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**Justin Zimmer** (born October 23, 1992) is an American former professional [football](/source/Gridiron_football) [defensive tackle](/source/Defensive_tackle) who played in the [National Football League](/source/National_Football_League) (NFL) for seven seasons. He played [college football](/source/College_football) at [Ferris State](/source/Ferris_State_Bulldogs). He has been a member of the [Buffalo Bills](/source/Buffalo_Bills), [New Orleans Saints](/source/New_Orleans_Saints), [Atlanta Falcons](/source/Atlanta_Falcons), [Cleveland Browns](/source/Cleveland_Browns), and [Miami Dolphins](/source/Miami_Dolphins) of the NFL, in addition to the [Montreal Alouettes](/source/Montreal_Alouettes) of the [Canadian Football League](/source/Canadian_Football_League) (CFL).

## College career

Zimmer played four seasons for the Ferris State Bulldogs, compiling a total of 216 [tackles](/source/Tackle_(football_move)#Gridiron_football), 26 [sacks](/source/Quarterback_sack), 48.5 [tackles for a loss](/source/Tackles_for_a_loss), 1 [interception](/source/Interception), 1 [touchdown](/source/Touchdown), 14 [pass deflections](/source/Pass_deflections), 9 forced [fumbles](/source/Fumbles), 1 fumble recovery, and 3 blocked kicks. He was a three time first-team All-[Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference](/source/Great_Lakes_Intercollegiate_Athletic_Conference) selection, a two time [Division II](/source/NCAA_Division_II) [All-American](/source/College_Football_All-America_Team), and a three time Division II Academic All-American.[2]

## Professional career

### Buffalo Bills (first stint)

Zimmer signed with the [Buffalo Bills](/source/Buffalo_Bills) as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2016.[3] He was waived by the Bills on August 30, 2016.[4]

### New Orleans Saints

On December 13, 2016, Zimmer was signed to the [practice squad](/source/Practice_squad) of the [New Orleans Saints](/source/New_Orleans_Saints).[5] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints on January 2, 2017.[6] He was waived on September 2, 2017.[7]

### Montreal Alouettes

Zimmer signed with the [Montreal Alouettes](/source/Montreal_Alouettes) of the [Canadian Football League](/source/Canadian_Football_League) on September 21, 2017, and was added to the team's practice roster.[8] He was promoted to the active roster and appeared in the Alouettes' final game of the season, recording three tackles and one sack.[9]

### Atlanta Falcons

On April 17, 2018, Zimmer was signed by the [Atlanta Falcons](/source/Atlanta_Falcons).[10] Zimmer made the Falcons' 53-man roster, and made his regular season debut in Week 3.[11] He was waived by the Falcons on October 2, 2018, and was re-signed to the practice squad.[12][13] On December 4, 2018, Zimmer was signed to the Falcons’ 53-man roster.[14]

On August 31, 2019, Zimmer was waived by the Falcons and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[15][16]

### Cleveland Browns

On December 3, 2019, Zimmer was signed by the [Cleveland Browns](/source/Cleveland_Browns) off the Falcons' practice squad.[17] The Browns waived Zimmer with a [non-football injury](/source/Non-football_injury) designation on July 31, 2020.[18]

### Buffalo Bills (second stint)

On August 16, 2020, Zimmer signed with the [Buffalo Bills](/source/Buffalo_Bills).[19] He was waived on September 5, 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day.[20][21] He was elevated to the active roster on September 12 and October 19 for the team's weeks 1 and 6 games against the [New York Jets](/source/New_York_Jets) and [Kansas City Chiefs](/source/Kansas_City_Chiefs), and reverted to the practice squad the day after each game.[22][23] He was signed to active roster on October 21.[24]

In Week 8 against the [New England Patriots](/source/New_England_Patriots), Zimmer made a key play late in the fourth quarter, punching the ball out of Patriots quarterback [Cam Newton](/source/Cam_Newton)'s hands on a quarterback keeper as New England was driving down the field to either tie or win the game. The forced fumble and recovery by teammate [Dean Marlowe](/source/Dean_Marlowe) sealed a 24–21 Bills win. Zimmer was awarded a game ball following the contest. [25] In Week 10 against the [Arizona Cardinals](/source/Arizona_Cardinals), Zimmer recorded his first career sack on [Kyler Murray](/source/Kyler_Murray) during the 32–30 loss.[26] During the Bills' Divisional Round matchup against the [Baltimore Ravens](/source/Baltimore_Ravens), Zimmer recorded a top speed of 18.45 miles per hour on an interception return, which was the second fastest speed by a Defensive Tackle during the 2020-21 season.

During the 2021 season, Zimmer was placed on [injured reserve](/source/Injured_reserve) with a season-ending knee injury on November 11.[27] He became a free agent after the season, but was re-signed to the Bills' practice squad on October 4, 2022.[28]

### Miami Dolphins

On November 23, 2022, Zimmer was signed by the [Miami Dolphins](/source/Miami_Dolphins) off the Bills' practice squad.[29] On December 31, Zimmer was placed on season–ending injured reserve with an undisclosed injury.[30]

## References

1. ["Justin Zimmer"](https://profootballarchives.com/players/z/zimm00080.html). Pro Football Archives. Retrieved 17 December 2024.

1. Scheldt, Marshall (May 1, 2016). ["Justin Zimmer signs with Bills"](https://fsutorch.com/2016/05/01/justin-zimmer-signs-bills/). *The Ferris State Torch*. Retrieved December 6, 2018.

1. Florio, Mike (May 2, 2016). ["Bills announce deals with 14 undrafted free agents"](https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/05/02/bills-announce-deals-with-14-undrafted-free-agents/). *Pro Football Talk*. NBC Sports. Retrieved October 3, 2018.

1. Brown, Chris (August 30, 2016). ["Reserve/PUP for Shaq Lawson; WR Little among cuts to get to 75"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170829115123/https://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/ReservePUP-for-Shaq-Lawson-WR-Little-among-cuts-to-get-to-75/00ccf95b-7563-4e66-8bd4-ab03b32895e0). *BuffaloBills.com*. Archived from [the original](https://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/ReservePUP-for-Shaq-Lawson-WR-Little-among-cuts-to-get-to-75/00ccf95b-7563-4e66-8bd4-ab03b32895e0) on August 29, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2018.

1. Dabe, Christopher (December 13, 2016). ["New Orleans Saints sign defensive tackle Justin Zimmer to practice squad"](https://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2016/12/new_orleans_saints_justin_zimm.html). *NOLA.com*. [The Times-Picayune](/source/The_Times-Picayune). Retrieved October 3, 2018.

1. Hendrix, John (January 2, 2017). ["New Orleans Saints sign seven players to reserve/future deals"](https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2017/1/2/14149106/new-orleans-saints-sign-seven-players-reserve-future-deals). *CanalStreetChronicles.com*. [SB Nation](/source/SB_Nation). Retrieved October 3, 2018.

1. ["New Orleans Saints make 37 roster moves"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171007170254/http://www.neworleanssaints.com/news-and-events/article-1/New-Orleans-Saints-make-37-roster-moves/772dc16b-7962-4363-b7a8-85db4dd37f90). *NewOrleansSaints.com*. September 2, 2017. Archived from [the original](http://www.neworleanssaints.com/news-and-events/article-1/New-Orleans-Saints-make-37-roster-moves/772dc16b-7962-4363-b7a8-85db4dd37f90) on October 7, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2017.

1. Wallner, Peter (September 21, 2017). ["Former Ferris State standout Justin Zimmer signs with CFL team"](https://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2017/09/former_ferris_state_standout_j.html). *[The Grand Rapids Press](/source/The_Grand_Rapids_Press)*. MLive.com. Retrieved December 6, 2018.

1. Woodroof, Cory (April 17, 2018). ["Falcons sign ex-Seahawks DT Garrison Smith, DT Justin Zimmer, CB Tyson Graham"](https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2018/4/17/17248952/atlanta-falcons-sign-ex-seahawks-dt-garrison-smith-justin-zimmer-tyson-graham). *TheFalcoholic.com*. [SB Nation](/source/SB_Nation). Retrieved December 6, 2018.

1. McFadden, Will (April 17, 2018). ["Falcons announce signing of three defensive players"](https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-announce-signing-of-three-defensive-players-20549712). *AtlantaFalcons.com*. Retrieved October 3, 2018.

1. ["Justin Zimmer Career Game Log"](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/Z/ZimmJu00/gamelog/). *Pro-Football-Reference.com*. Retrieved December 5, 2018.

1. Conway, Kelsey (October 2, 2018). ["Falcons sign former Jaguars' defensive tackle Michael Bennett"](https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-sign-former-jaguars-defensive-tackle-michael-bennett). *AtlantaFalcons.com*

1. Conway, Kelsey (October 4, 2018). ["Falcons sign defensive tackle Justin Zimmer to practice squad, waive cornerback Taveze Calhoun"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181005001820/https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-sign-defensive-tackle-justin-zimmer-to-practice-squad-waive-cornerback-t). *AtlantaFalcons.com*. Archived from [the original](https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-sign-defensive-tackle-justin-zimmer-to-practice-squad-waive-cornerback-t) on October 5, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2018.

1. Tabeek, Matthew (December 4, 2018). ["Falcons place Josh Harris on injured reserve, promote Justin Zimmer to active roster"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181205041906/https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-place-josh-harris-on-injured-reserve-promote-justin-zimmer-to-active-ros). *AtlantaFalcons.com*. Archived from [the original](https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-place-josh-harris-on-injured-reserve-promote-justin-zimmer-to-active-ros) on December 5, 2018. Retrieved 2019-11-26.

1. McFadden, Will (August 31, 2019). ["Falcons 2019 roster announced"](https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-2019-roster-announced). *AtlantaFalcons.com*. Retrieved 2019-11-26.

1. McFadden, Will (September 1, 2019). ["Falcons sign seven players to practice squad"](https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-sign-seven-players-to-practice-squad). *AtlantaFalcons.com*. Retrieved 2019-11-26.

1. ["Browns sign DT Justin Zimmer, make other roster moves"](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-sign-dt-justin-zimmer-make-other-roster-moves). *ClevelandBrowns.com*. December 3, 2019.

1. ["Browns release 4 players"](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-release-4-players-x4185). ClevelandBrowns.com. July 31, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020.

1. ["Bills sign DTs Justin Zimmer and Tanzel Smart"](https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-dts-justin-zimmer-and-tanzel-smart). *BuffaloBills.com*. August 16, 2020.

1. Brown, Chris (September 5, 2020). ["Bills announce these moves to get to the 53-man roster limit"](https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-announce-these-moves-to-get-to-the-53-man-roster-limit). *BuffaloBills.com*

1. ["Bills announce the initial 2020 practice squad"](https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-announce-the-initial-2020-practice-squad). *BuffaloBills.com*. September 6, 2020.

1. ["Cam Lewis, Justin Zimmer elevated from practice squad for Jets game"](https://www.buffalobills.com/news/cam-lewis-justin-zimmer-elevated-from-practice-squad-for-jets-game). *BuffaloBills.com*. September 12, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.

1. "We've elevated DE Bryan Cox, Jr. and DT Justin Zimmer for tonight's game. #KCvsBUF". No. 1318258319350530048. October 19, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.

1. ["Bills promote DT Justin Zimmer to the 53-man roster"](https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-promote-dt-justin-zimmer-to-the-53-man-roster). *BuffaloBills.com*. October 21, 2020.

1. Reporter, Jay Skurski News Sports (2020-11-01). ["10 observations: Justin Zimmer's forced fumble saves the day for Bills"](https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/10-observations-justin-zimmers-forced-fumble-saves-the-day-for-bills/article_cf0ae044-1c84-11eb-9b65-fb0ebdce9217.html). *The Buffalo News*. Retrieved 2020-11-05.

1. ["Buffalo Bills at Arizona Cardinals - November 15th, 2020"](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202011150crd.htm). *Pro-Football-Reference.com*. Retrieved 2020-11-20.

1. ["Bills sign Cam Lewis to 53-man roster; Justin Zimmer place on injured reserve + other moves announced"](https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-cam-lewis-to-53-man-roster-justin-zimmer-place-on-injured-reserve-oth). *BuffaloBills.com*. November 11, 2021.

1. Boccachino, John & Warren, Matt (March 16, 2022). ["2022 NFL Free Agency: Bills tender OG Ryan Bates, but not DT Justin Zimmer"](https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/3/16/22981687/2022-nfl-free-agency-bills-tender-og-ryan-bates-but-not-dt-justin-zimmer). *buffalorumblings.com*. Vox Media, LLC. Retrieved 4 April 2022.

1. ["Miami Dolphins sign Zimmer"](https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-sign-zimmer). *MiamiDolphins.com*. November 23, 2022.

1. Masala, Mike (2022-12-31). ["Dolphins make a flurry of roster moves ahead of Patriots game"](https://dolphinswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/dolphins/2022/12/31/dolphins-place-justin-zimmer-on-ir/79695331007/). *Dolphins Wire*. USA Today. Retrieved 2025-08-03.

## External links

- [Ferris State Bulldogs bio](http://www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com/sports/fball/2015-16/bios/zimmer_justin_s7s3)

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