This setup will make for a strange winter-spring period in which two minor leagues of sorts will be in operation. Considering the short tenures of XFL 2.0 (2020) and the Alliance of American Football (2019), this will be one of the more interesting years for non-NFL football.

Numerous former NFLers line the XFL’s season-opening rosters. Here are some of the players who will be part the league’s latest eight-team configuration. The full rosters can be found here.

Arlington Renegades

• CB De’Vante Bausby
• S Jamal Carter
• DL Doug Costin
• DL Bruce Hector
• P Marquette King
• CB Cre’von LeBlanc

King has not punted since the 2018 season, when the Broncos waived him not long after signing the veteran specialist to a multiyear deal. King, 34, punted for the Raiders for five seasons.

D.C. Defenders

• RB Ryquell Armstead
• S Kentrell Brice
• WR Chad Hansen
• QB D’Eriq King
• K Matthew McCrane
• T Kyle Murphy
• DT Caraun Reid
• DT Gabe Wright
• TE Kahale Warring

Armstead received workout opportunities and landed with multiple teams, but the former Jaguars backup has been unable to regain his footing since missing all of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 complications. A former Packers second-round pick, Murphy has six NFL seasons under his belt. Reid, 31, played eight NFL seasons — most recently suiting up in 2021 — and was a regular for the Lions early in his career. Brice started 10 games for the Packers in 2018; he has not played since.

Houston Roughnecks

• DB Sean Davis
• QB Cole McDonald

Davis started 42 games for the Steelers from 2017-19; he played with three teams during the 2021 season. A

Orlando Guardians

• S Matt Elam
• WR Cody Latimer
• QB Paxton Lynch
• WR Eli Rogers
• P Johnny Townsend

Elam logged 26 starts for the Ravens, but his NFL run stopped after the 2016 season. A former Broncos second-round pick, Latimer played six NFL seasons and ended up a 10-game starter for the Giants in 2019. Lynch was part of the 2016 and ’17 Broncos squads along with Latimer but, despite his first-round status, flamed out of the league after two seasons. He has since spent time in the CFL and USFL.

San Antonio Brahmas

• RB Kalen Ballage
• QB Reid Sinnett
• P Brad Wing
• TE Deon Yelder

Ballage did not play in the NFL this season but saw action in 17 games for the Steelers in 2021. Wing served as the Giants’ punter for three seasons. Sinnett was with the Dolphins this season, joining the team following Tua Tagovailoa‘s Week 4 concussion.

Seattle Sea Dragons

• QB Ben DiNucci
• WR Josh Gordon
• DT Treyvon Hester
• LB Tuzar Skipper

The biggest name in this XFL edition, Gordon became a journeyman in recent years. He was most recently with the Titans, catching on with Tennessee this year before being released in October. The former All-Pro spent the 2021 season with the Chiefs. Suspensions hijacked the 31-year-old pass catcher’s career. The Cowboys cut DiNucci just before this season, and while workout opportunities came, the former emergency Dallas starter will try his hand in the XFL.

St. Louis BattleHawks

• WR Marcell Ateman
• WR Hakeem Butler
• RB Brian Hill
• P Sterling Hofrichter
• QB A.J. McCarron

Although McCarron’s most recent action came with the Texans, he was on the 2021 Falcons. A path toward being Matt Ryan‘s final backup in Atlanta closed after a preseason ACL tear. Workouts in 2022 did not lead to a signing.

Vegas Vipers

• WR Geronimo Allison
• OLB Vic Beasley
• WR Martavis Bryant
• QB Brett Hundley
• RB Rod Smith

A former top-10 pick and NFL sack leader, Beasley has been out of the league since the 2020 season. The ex-Super Bowl starter’s one-year, $9.5MM deal did not work out for the Titans, who cut the edge rusher during the ’20 campaign. Bryant has been out of the league longer, with suspensions altering his path. The talented ex-Steeler spent time in Canada recently. Hundley was on the Ravens’ practice squad until season’s end this year, signing with the team after Lamar Jackson‘s ankle injury.

Buffalo Bills

• Activated from active/PUP list: DT Eli Ankou

Carolina Panthers

• Placed on IR: CB Devin Jones

Chicago Bears

• Released from IR with injury settlement: LB C.J. Avery

Houston Texans

• Released from IR with injury settlement: WR Davion Davis

Indianapolis Colts

• Released: OT Jason Spriggs

Las Vegas Raiders

• Signed: CB Nate Brooks
• Placed on IR: CB Cre’Von LeBlanc

New Orleans Saints

• Released from IR with injury settlement: CB Dylan Mabin

Philadelphia Eagles

• Placed on IR: WR Keric Wheatfall

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Placed on IR: WR Javon McKinley

San Francisco 49ers

• Released from IR with injury settlement: S Leon O’Neal

Tennessee Titans

• Released from IR with injury settlement: OL Daniel Munyer

Las Vegas Raiders

• CB Cre’von LeBlanc

Miami Dolphins

• WR River Cracraft

Arizona Cardinals

• Released: DL Matt Dickerson, LB Tahir Whitehead

Detroit Lions

• WR Geronimo Allison, G Parker Ehinger, TE Nick Eubanks, OT Darrin Paulo, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, TE Ross Travis

Houston Texans

• Released: DB Cre’von LeBlanc

Las Vegas Raiders

• Signed: DL Isaiah Buggs, TE Daniel Helm, LB Justin March-Lillard
• Released: LB Asmar Bilal, LB Will Compton, WR Javon Wims

Los Angeles Rams

• Released: K Ryan Santoso, LS Carson Tinker

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Signed: WR John Hurst

Tennessee Titans

• Signed: RB Jeremy McNichols

Baltimore Ravens

• DB Robert Jackson, OT Jaryd Jones-Smith, G/DT Kahlil McKenzie, WR Jaylon Moore, C James Murray, TE Tony Poljan, DB Kevin Toliver, WR Binjimen Victor

Carolina Panthers

• RB Spencer Brown, CB Madre Harper, DL Frank Herron, OL Mike Horton, OL Aaron Monteiro, WR Aaron Parker, FB Giovanni Ricci, WR C.J. Saunders, TE Colin Thompson, QB P.J. Walker

Cleveland Browns

• TE Miller Forristall, G Hjalte Froholdt, TE Nick Guggemos, CB Nate Meadors, G David Moore, FB Johnny Stanton, OT Alex Taylor, DE Curtis Weaver

Denver Broncos

• TE Shaun Beyer, RB Damarea Crockett, WR Travis Fulgham, OT Drew Himmelman, G Zack Johnson, LB Barrington Wade

Detroit Lions

• DE Eric Banks, LB Tavante Beckett, DE Bruce Hector, WR Javon McKinley, QB Steven Montez, CB Parnell Motley, OT Dan Skipper, CB Saivion Smith, TE Shane Zylstra

Houston Texans

• RB Darius Anderson, WR Jalen Camp, G Sam Cooper, DT Michael Dwumfour, OL Jake Eldrenkamp, DB T.J. Green, DE Demone Harris, WR Damon Hazelton, CB Cre’Von LeBlanc, FB Paul Quessenberry, OL Jordan Steckler, LB Connor Strachan, LB Josh Watson

Jacksonville Jaguars

• WR Jeff Cotton, RB Nathan Cottrell, OL Coy Cronk, WR Josh Hammond, OL Jared Hocker, WR Tim Jones, DL Jeremiah Ledbetter, OL Badara Traore

Minnesota Vikings

• LB Tuf Borland, S Myles Dorn, WR Trishton Jackson, WR Myron Mitchell, CB Parry Nickerson, T Timon Parris, RB A.J. Rose, DT T.J. Smith

New Orleans Saints

• WR Kawaan Baker, LB Sharif Finch, OT Jerald Hawkins, DT Braxton Hoyett, DB Dylan Mabin, DB Jordan Miller, DB KeiVarae Russell, WR Easop Winston

New York Giants

• LB Omari Cobb, OT Devery Hamilton, LB Trent Harris, TE Jake Hausmann, DE Niko Lalos, QB Brian Lewerke, DT David Moamat, WR Travis Toivonen

New York Jets

• K Matt Ammendola, WR Tarik Black, TE Brandon Dillon, OL Grant Hermanns, WR D.J. Montgomery, OL Ross Pierschbacher, DL Hamilcar Rashed, OL Dru Samia, DL Tanzel Smart, OL Isaiah Williams

Seattle Seahawks

• DT Myles Adams, WR Matt Cole, LB Aaron Donkor, T Greg Eiland, WR Aaron Fuller, DT Jarrod Hewitt, CB Michael Jackson, WR Cade Johnson, G Pier-Olivier Lestage, DT Niles Scott, WR Cody Thompson, LB Lakiem Williams

Washington Football Team

• G Zack Bailey, C/G Beau Benzschawel, ​G Deion Calhoun, DT Tyler Clark, ​WR Antonio Gandy-Golden, ​WR Kelvin Harmon, ​G Nolan Laufenberg, ​WR Marken Michel

Baltimore Ravens

• Placed on COVID-19 list: RB Nate McCrary

Carolina Panthers

• Released: LB Josh Watson

Cincinnati Bengals

• Signed: CB Brian Allen, S Tedric Thompson

Houston Texans

• Placed on COVID-19 list: DB Cre’von LeBlanc

Indianapolis Colts

• Signed: TE Colin Thompson

Los Angeles Rams

• Signed: CB Greg Stroman

New York Giants

• Signed: C Evan Boehm

New York Jets

• Activated from COVID-19 list: LB Noah Dawkins

Atlanta Falcons

• Signed: TE Parker Hesse

Dallas Cowboys

• Signed: RB Ito Smith

Houston Texans

• Signed: DB Cre’von LeBlanc
• Released: WR Damon Hazelton

Los Angeles Rams

• Released: WR JJ Koski

Las Vegas Raiders

• Signed: LB Will Compton
• Released: S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

New Orleans Saints

• Signed: OL James Carpenter, OL Jerald Hawkins

New York Giants

• Signed: WR Travis Toivonen

New York Jets

• Signed: S Elijah Benton

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Signed: P Drue Chrisman, LS Rex Sunahara
• Released: DB Linden Stephens, WR Tyler Vaughns

San Francisco 49ers

• Released: S Tony Jefferson

Seattle Seahawks

• Signed: NT Niles Scott

Dallas Cowboys

• Released: DE Breeland Speaks

Houston Texans

• Signed: CB Cre’Von LeBlanc

Indianapolis Colts

• Signed: QB James Morgan

New York Giants

• Signed: S Natrell Jamerson

San Francisco 49ers

• Signed: WR Austin Mack, LB Curtis Robinson
• Released: WR Devin Funchess, LB Justin March

Tennessee Titans

• Signed: LB Tuzar Skipper

Cleveland Browns

• Promoted: CB Herb Miller

Houston Texans

• Promoted: CB Cre’Von LeBlanc

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Promoted: OL K.C. McDermott
• Placed on IR: Jay Tufele

Atlanta Falcons

• Signed: RB Qadree Ollison
• Released: C Sam Jones

Carolina Panthers

• Signed: CB John Brannon

Chicago Bears

• Signed: LB Josh Woods

Cincinnati Bengals

• Signed: QB Jake Browning
• Released: P Drue Chrisman

Denver Broncos

• Signed: CB Saivion Smith

Houston Texans

• Signed: CB Cre’Von LeBlanc

Miami Dolphins

• Signed: OT Bobby Hart

New York Giants

• Signed: WR C.J. Board, OT Korey Cunningham
• Released: DB Jordyn Peters, G Kenny Wiggins

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Signed: DE Henry Mondeaux, LB Delontae Scott, WR Tyler Vaughns
• Moved to IR: WR Rico Bussey

Seattle Seahawks

• Signed: CB Gavin Heslop
• Released: TE Mark Vital

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Signed: K Jose Borregales

Washington Football Team

• Signed: OT Evin Ksiezarczyk
• Released: C Jon Toth

Placed on season-ending IR:

• OT Larnel Coleman

Released:

• LB Josh Harvey-Clemons
• CB Cre’von LeBlanc
• OT Adam Pankey
• C Cameron Tom

Waived:

• CB Javaris Davis
• RB Gerrid Doaks
• CB Tino Ellis
• LB Shaquem Griffin
• LB Kylan Johnson
• DT Benito Jones
• RB Patrick Laird
• DE Jonathan Ledbetter
• WR Kai Locksley
• WR Kirk Merritt
• LB Calvin Munson
• TE Chris Myarick
• WR Malcolm Perry
• OG Durval Queiroz Neto
• RB Jordan Scarlett
• QB Reid Sinnett
• DE Jason Strowbridge

There are some reasonably big names on this list, including LeBlanc and Harvey-Clemons among the vested veterans getting outright released. LeBlanc played a sizable role in the Eagles’ secondary last season, and started nine games for the Bears as a rookie back in 2016. Harvey-Clemons was a decent-sized part of Washington’s defense in 2018, but his role was reduced in 2019 before he opted out of the 2020 seasons.

You’ll likely recognize some of the waiver cuts as well, including Griffin. The brother of star cornerback Shaquill Griffin, the linebacker was attempting to make the team after a few years with the Seahawks. Laird started four games for the Dolphins in 2019 and received 62 carries that year, but he was mainly a special teams guy last season.

Arizona Cardinals

• Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Lorenzo Burns

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Luq Barcoo, CB C.J. Henderson, QB Jake Luton
• Placed on active/PUP list: LB Leon Jacobs

Miami Dolphins

• Signed: CB Cre’Von LeBlanc
• Waived: DE Nick Coe, LS Rex Sunahara

New England Patriots

• Signed: TE David Wells

New York Jets

• Placed on NFI list: DE Vinny Curry, DT Folorunso Fatukasi, S Marcus Maye
• Placed on active/PUP list: S Ashtyn Davis, DL Jonathan Marshall, DL Kyle Phillips, DT Quinnen Williams

Seattle Seahawks

• Signed: RB Cameron Scarlett

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S Jordan Whitehead

The FAU product has appeared in nine games for the Birds this year, mostly in a reserve role. To date, he’s registered 22 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. He’s been shuffled on and off of the Eagles’ roster since 2018, appearing in 21 total games with six starts.

LeBlanc isn’t exactly a star player, but he’s been a key player in the slot and a regular with the punt return team. With Craig James done for the year, they’re somewhat limited on options. Practice squader Grayland Arnold could be one option to replace LeBlanc, though he’s more of a safety than a corner.

Miraculously, the Eagles find themselves atop the NFC East with a 3-6-1 record. A win on Monday night against the Seahawks could put additional space between them and the rest of the pack.

The cut leaves Philly with only four cornerbacks on the roster, including a banged up Avonte Maddox, so another move is coming. Eagles beat writer Eliot Shorr-Parks tweeted that he thinks the team is hoping to be able to re-siign LeBlanc after they place somebody else on injured reserve. The team claimed LeBlanc off waivers midway through the 2018 season, and he ended up starting four games for them that year.

He signed a one-year extension in September of last year, but ended up missing most of 2019 with a foot injury. Still the team thought highly enough of him to use one of their IR/designated for return spots on him, and he appeared in four games with one start.

The Eagles have been cleaning house in their secondary this week, already waiving former second-round pick Sidney Jones and former third-round pick Rasul Douglas. It looks like LeBlanc may be brought back, and we’ll keep you posted if he is.

Perkins, a former undrafted free agent out of Washington, spent the first two seasons of his career with the Falcons. He appeared in nine games for the Eagles last season, hauling in five catches for 67 yards. After getting waived after the 2019 preseason, Perkins caught on with Philly’s practice squad.

The Eagles were one of the few NFL teams rostering two tight ends. If Ertz is ultimately sidelined with a hamstring injury, the team would have needed another healthy body besides Dallas Goedert. While Goedert would presumably get the majority of snaps at tight end in Ertz’s hypothetical absence, there’s still a good chance that Perkins would make his 2019 debut against the Dolphins.

The Eagles added LeBlanc to their roster last November, and he proceeded to collect 24 tackles and one pass defended in eight games (four starts) with Philly. The 25-year-old inked a one-year extension with the team back in September, and he was later placed on injured reserve with a foot injury. He was designated to return earlier this week.

Huggins was signed off the Texans practice squad back in October. The defensive tackle ended up playing in four games for Philadelphia, compiling three tackles.