Jon Toth, Josh Ali earn NFL practice squad opportunities
Former Kentucky football standouts Jon Toth and Josh Ali will continue their football careers on NFL practice squads.
Toth, who was released by the Washington Commanders during 53-man roster cuts on Tuesday, was re-signed to the team’s practice squad this afternoon.
Following a brilliant career in Lexington that included 48 consecutive starts from his redshirt sophomore to senior season, Toth went undrafted in 2017, but signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent. He then bounced around practice squads with the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions before latching on with Washington.
He was signed on August 9, 2021, then after a few releases and re-signs, stuck with the team’s practice squad throughout the season until being elevated to the active roster in late November. He was then promoted to the active roster to close out the season on December 11.
Now, he’s back in Washington for 2022.
Elsewhere, Ali was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad, one of four players added to the team on Wednesday. This comes after being invited to the team’s rookie minicamp back in May. He also worked out for the team August 25, leading to today’s signing.
Ali played at Kentucky from 2017-21, racking up 1,447 total yards and eight touchdowns on 131 receptions to go with an additional score on the ground.
He was forced to miss the Citrus Bowl in his final year in Lexington after being injured in a car accident back in December. The Hollywood, Fla. native also missed Kentucky’s Pro Day in the spring.
Now, Ali is making his return to the football field, this time with the Atlanta Falcons.
“I’m going to have a hell of a story to hell in a couple years,” Ali tweeted this week. “This process has been one for the books.”
All 32 NFL franchises were required to cut their rosters down to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. While Toth and Ali have their spots reserved going into the season, Lynn Bowden Jr. (Miami Dolphins), Justin Rigg (Cincinnati Bengals), Yusuf Corker (New York Giants), Chris Westry (Carolina Panthers), Quandre Mosely (Dallas Cowboys) and AJ Rose (Los Angeles Rams) are still waiting to hear where their football paths will take them next after being released in August.
Lonnie Johnson (claimed by Tennessee Titans) and TJ Carter (claimed by Los Angeles Rams) were both released, but quickly found new homes on the waiver wire.
Best of luck to all former Wildcats fighting for roster spots in the NFL.
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