{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1994)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Trae Elston | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | current_team = | number = 36, 35 | position = Safety | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|2|16}} | birth_place = Anniston, Alabama, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 0 | weight_lbs = 203 | high_school = Oxford (Oxford, Alabama) | college = Ole Miss | undraftedyear = 2016 | pastteams = * New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2016}})* * Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2016}})* * Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2016}}) * Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2017}}) * Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|2017}}) * Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2017}}) * Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2017}}) * Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|2019}})* * New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2019}})* * Houston Roughnecks ({{XFL Year|2020}}) * Calgary Stampeders ({{CFL Year|2021}}) * New Jersey Generals ({{USFL Year|2022}}–{{USFL Year|2023}}) | highlights = * First-team All-SEC (2015) | statlabel1 = Total tackles | statvalue1 = 19 | statlabel2 = Pass deflections | statvalue2 = 1 | statlabel3 = Interceptions | statvalue3 = 1 }}
'''Trae Elston''' (born February 16, 1994) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). The All-American played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels. Elston was a member of the 2017 Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles.
==Professional career== ===New Orleans Saints=== Elston was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bouda |first=Nate |date=May 2, 2016 |title=Saints Officially Sign 19 Undrafted Free Agents |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/saints-officially-sign-19-undrafted-free-agents/ |access-date=2025-10-04 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}}</ref> He was released on September 3, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Saints Officially Cut 21 Players, Down To 53-Man Limit|url=http://nfltraderumors.co/saints-begin-roster-cuts-ol-tyrus-thompson/|date=September 3, 2016|access-date=November 15, 2016}}</ref>
===Tampa Bay Buccaneers=== Elston was signed to the Buccaneers' practice squad on October 17, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Louis Murphy Returns to the Field|url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Louis-Murphy-Returns-to-the-Field/7fc5f7c9-7f82-4e9e-a50b-3d951aedaa11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117075023/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Louis-Murphy-Returns-to-the-Field/7fc5f7c9-7f82-4e9e-a50b-3d951aedaa11|url-status=dead|archive-date=2017-11-17|last=Smith|first=Scott|website=Buccaneers.com}}</ref> He was released on November 15, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Buccaneers Make Practice Squad Moves|url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Buccaneers-Make-Practice-Squad-Moves/4cd1da4c-57f2-46a7-8ff9-eb623264d816|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430222822/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Buccaneers-Make-Practice-Squad-Moves/4cd1da4c-57f2-46a7-8ff9-eb623264d816|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 30, 2017|website=Buccaneers.com|date=November 15, 2016}}</ref>
===Cleveland Browns=== On December 7, 2016, Elston was signed to the Cleveland Browns' active roster.<ref>{{cite web|title=Browns sign DB Trae Elston, place Derrick Kindred on NFI|url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-DB-Trae-Elston-place-Derrick-Kindred-on-NFI/a1489269-ec7b-4153-bd8f-cfd45edfb8a0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119120317/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-DB-Trae-Elston-place-Derrick-Kindred-on-NFI/a1489269-ec7b-4153-bd8f-cfd45edfb8a0|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 19, 2018|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=December 7, 2016}}</ref> He was waived on December 21, 2016, and was re-signed to the practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Browns promote DB Trey Caldwell to active roster|url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-promote-DB-Trey-Caldwell-to-active-roster/ba7e7323-49b5-4404-826f-01d207eff5fd|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224094109/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-promote-DB-Trey-Caldwell-to-active-roster/ba7e7323-49b5-4404-826f-01d207eff5fd|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 24, 2016|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=December 21, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Browns sign DB Trae Elston to practice squad|url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-DB-Trae-Elston-to-practice-squad/e54c27e5-5160-40b6-aefd-7a91cbd1d134|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010010441/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-DB-Trae-Elston-to-practice-squad/e54c27e5-5160-40b6-aefd-7a91cbd1d134|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 10, 2017|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=December 23, 2016}}</ref> He signed a reserve/future contract with the Browns on January 2, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Browns sign 8 to reserve/future list|url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-8-to-reservefuture-list/b2990cea-5432-4ef9-8ea9-560abb6a50a9|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010205235/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-8-to-reservefuture-list/b2990cea-5432-4ef9-8ea9-560abb6a50a9|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 10, 2017|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=January 2, 2017}}</ref>
On April 20, 2017, Elston was waived by the Browns.<ref>{{cite web|title=Browns release three players|url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-release-three-players/0a95ed2a-8198-48e3-b02b-517907c4e015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504093737/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-release-three-players/0a95ed2a-8198-48e3-b02b-517907c4e015|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 4, 2018|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=April 20, 2017}}</ref>
===Buffalo Bills=== On April 21, 2017, Elston was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bills awarded waiver claim for S Elston|url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-awarded-waiver-claim-for-S-Elston/84fbb609-96de-4d53-bdc9-1c5f9a4e0a0b|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131222223/http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-awarded-waiver-claim-for-S-Elston/84fbb609-96de-4d53-bdc9-1c5f9a4e0a0b|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2018|author=Brown, Chris|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=April 21, 2017}}</ref> He was waived on September 19, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bills release S Trae Elston, LB Jelani Jenkins|url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-release-S-Trae-Elston-LB-Jelani-Jenkins/c594308a-0194-46d1-a823-8678e632d4b4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024123409/http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-release-S-Trae-Elston-LB-Jelani-Jenkins/c594308a-0194-46d1-a823-8678e632d4b4|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 24, 2017|author=Brown, Chris|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=September 19, 2017}}</ref>
===Philadelphia Eagles=== On September 20, 2017, Elston was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Eagles claim S Trae Elston|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/09/20/eagles-claim-s-trae-elston/|author=Alper, Josh|website=ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com|date=September 20, 2017}}</ref> He was waived by the Eagles on September 30, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Eagles sign defensive tackle from practice squad, cut a safety|url=https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2017/9/30/16389604/justin-hamilton-eagles-philadelphia-roster-practice-squad-trae-elston-safety-fletcher-cox-injury-nfl|author=Gowton, Brandon Lee|website=BleedingGreenNation.com|date=September 30, 2017}}</ref>
===Buffalo Bills (second stint)=== On October 3, 2017, Elston was signed by the Bills.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bills sign WR Brown, S Elston back to the roster; sign S Thomas|url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-sign-WR-Brown-S-Elston-back-to-the-roster-sign-S-Thomas/2357b3a1-835a-4bdc-bee5-39dd9076bd15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207170133/http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-sign-WR-Brown-S-Elston-back-to-the-roster-sign-S-Thomas/2357b3a1-835a-4bdc-bee5-39dd9076bd15|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 7, 2017|author=Brown, Chris|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=October 3, 2017}}</ref>
Elston made his first career NFL start against the Oakland Raiders on October 29, 2017. In that game, Elston recorded his first career interception by picking off Raiders quarterback Derek Carr late in the 4th quarter and led all defensive players with a career high 11 tackles (8 solo). The Bills won the game 34–14.<ref>{{cite web|title=Opportunistic Bills rout sloppy Raiders, 34-14|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=400951706|agency=Associated Press|website=ESPN.com|date=October 29, 2017}}</ref> On December 28, 2017, Elston was waived by the Bills.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bills activate S Anderson; Elston released|url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-activate-S-Anderson-Elston-released-/b0f6ec73-fcd7-4128-ba11-b11e40a65340|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231231232/http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-activate-S-Anderson-Elston-released-/b0f6ec73-fcd7-4128-ba11-b11e40a65340|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 31, 2017|author=Brown, Chris|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=December 28, 2017}}</ref>
===Miami Dolphins=== On December 29, 2017, Elston was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dolphins Make Roster Moves|url=http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/press-releases/article-1/Dolphins-Make-Roster-Moves/50eb7461-1521-4ce8-9d72-dec3e5f1c4f6|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405121137/http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/press-releases/article-1/Dolphins-Make-Roster-Moves/50eb7461-1521-4ce8-9d72-dec3e5f1c4f6|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 5, 2018|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=December 29, 2017}}</ref> He was waived on September 1, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves|url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-make-roster-moves-1|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=September 1, 2018}}</ref>
===Philadelphia Eagles (second stint)=== On June 5, 2019, Elston signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nfltraderumors.co/eagles-sign-s-trae-elston-waive-lb-b-j-bello/|title=Eagles Sign S Trae Elston, Waive LB B.J. Bello|author=Ulrich, Logan|date=June 5, 2019}}</ref> He was waived during final roster cuts on August 30, 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=Eagles announce first wave of roster moves as team works toward 53-player limit |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-roster-cutdown-2019 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com |date=August 30, 2019 |access-date=August 30, 2019}}</ref>
===New Orleans Saints (second stint)=== On October 23, 2019, Elston was signed to the New Orleans Saints practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Saints sign four players, bring back LB Stephone Anthony|url=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/23/saints-roster-moves-practice-squad-stephone-anthony-johnson-bademosi/|work=Saints Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=October 23, 2019}}</ref> He was released on November 20, 2019.
===Houston Roughnecks=== Elston was selected in the third round during phase four in the 2020 XFL Draft by the Houston Roughnecks.<ref>{{cite web|title=DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD DRAFT TRACKER|url=https://www.xfl.com/en-US/articles/defensive-backfield-draft-tracker|website=XFL.com|date=October 14, 2019}}</ref> He was placed on injured reserve on January 30, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=XFL Injured Reserve |url=https://www.xfl.com/en-US/xfl-injured-reserve |website=XFL.com |access-date=February 6, 2020}}</ref> He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |author=Condotta, Bob |title=XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/xfl-suspends-operations-terminates-all-employees/ |website=SeattleTimes.com |date=April 10, 2020 |access-date=July 17, 2020}}</ref>
===Calgary Stampeders=== Elston signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL on January 25, 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stampeders transactions |url=https://www.stampeders.com/2021/01/25/stampeders-transactions-3/ |website=Stampeders.com |date=January 25, 2021 |access-date=February 22, 2021}}</ref>
===New Jersey Generals=== Elston was selected in the 9th round of the 2022 USFL draft by the New Jersey Generals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/usfl-draft-2022-picks-results-rosters/kfjtmrpdeztksutjassswllz|website=Sporting News|title=USFL Draft tracker: Complete results, rosters for new football league|date=February 23, 2022|author=Camenker, Jacob}}</ref> He was transferred to the team's practice squad on April 14, 2022,<ref>{{cite tweet |user=USFLGenerals |title=Roster updates |number=1514810546712768525 |date=April 14, 2022 |access-date=April 15, 2022}}</ref> and moved to the active roster on April 16.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=USFLGenerals |title=Roster updates |number=1515460921480654848 |date=April 16, 2022 |access-date=April 17, 2022}}</ref> He was ruled inactive for the team's game against the New Orleans Breakers on May 14.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=USFLGenerals |title=Roster updates for today's game vs New Orleans |number=1525535327061823490 |date=May 14, 2022 |access-date=May 14, 2022}}</ref> He was transferred back to the active roster on May 20.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=USFLGenerals |title=Roster Updates |number=1527844108500209665 |date=May 20, 2022 |access-date=May 23, 2022}}</ref>
Elston was placed on injured reserve on May 31, 2023.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=USFLGenerals |title=Transferred Player to Injured Reserve List |number=1664104492244283392 |date=May 31, 2023 |access-date=June 1, 2023}}</ref> The Generals folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seifert |first=Kevin |date=January 1, 2024 |title=Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches |url=https://www.espn.com/xfl/story/_/id/39222541/newly-formed-united-football-league-sets-8-markets-tabs-coaches |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == *[http://www.olemisssports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/trae_elston_811412.html Ole Miss Rebels bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220072323/http://www.olemisssports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/trae_elston_811412.html |date=December 20, 2016 }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Elston, Trae}} Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:American football safeties Category:Buffalo Bills players Category:Cleveland Browns players Category:Ole Miss Rebels football players Category:Miami Dolphins players Category:New Orleans Saints players Category:Players of American football from Oxford, Alabama Category:Philadelphia Eagles players Category:Players of American football from Anniston, Alabama Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players Category:Houston Roughnecks players Category:Calgary Stampeders players Category:New Jersey Generals (2022) players Category:Players of Canadian football from Alabama Category:21st-century American sportsmen