Cameron Drew Erving (born August 23, 1992) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. He played college football at Florida State and has played in the NFL for the Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Panthers, and New Orleans Saints.

Cameron Erving
refer to caption
Erving with the Cleveland Browns in 2016
No. 73 – Houston Texans
Position:Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1992-08-23) August 23, 1992 (age 32)
Moultrie, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:315 lb (143 kg)
Career information
High school:Colquitt County
(Norman Park, Georgia)
College:Florida State (2010–2014)
NFL draft:2015 / round: 1 / pick: 19
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Practice squad
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Games played:98
Games started:58
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Erving attended Colquitt County High School, where he played as a defensive tackle. He had 98 tackles (48 solo) as a senior.

College career

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Erving playing for Florida State in 2014

Erving accepted a football scholarship from Florida State University. He played in three games as a defensive tackle as a true freshman in 2010. He recorded one tackle before a back injury caused him to have a medical redshirt.

He was a backup defensive tackle and played in all 13 games as a redshirt freshman in 2011. He finished the season with 20 tackles and one sack.

Erving was moved to offensive tackle as a sophomore in 2012.[1][2] He started all 14 games at left tackle, protecting quarterback EJ Manuel's blind side.

As a junior in 2013, Erving was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) selection at left tackle, after protecting quarterback Jameis Winston's blind side, who became the youngest player ever to win the Heisman Trophy.[3] He was also named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press.

He began his senior season in 2014 as the starting left tackle, but was moved to center after Austin Barron suffered an arm injury in the fifth game against Wake Forest University.[4]

Erving made 42 consecutive starts on the offensive line during his college career. He is a member of the Florida State chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.[5]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 5+12 in
(1.97 m)
313 lb
(142 kg)
34+18 in
(0.87 m)
10+38 in
(0.26 m)
5.15 s 1.87 s 3.03 s 4.63 s 7.48 s 30.5 in
(0.77 m)
9 ft 4 in
(2.84 m)
30 reps
All values from NFL Combine[6][7]

Cleveland Browns

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On April 30, 2015, Erving was selected with the 19th overall pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 2015 NFL draft.[8] Erving signed a four-year contract worth roughly $10 million, with a signing bonus of about $5 million.[9] As a rookie, he spent time at right guard and left tackle during training camp. He appeared in 16 games with 4 starts at left guard.

In 2016, after longtime starting center Alex Mack left the Browns via free agency, the coaching staff switched Erving from guard to center as his replacement.[10][11] He sat out three games after suffering a bruised lung in the second game against the Baltimore Ravens. He started 12 games at center, but struggled with his level of play and with his shotgun snaps. He was moved to the right tackle position for the season finale in place of Austin Pasztor, but suffered an MCL injury during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In 2017, he was competing for the right tackle starting position with Shon Coleman. He struggled during training camp and also suffered a calf injury.

Kansas City Chiefs

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Erving with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017

On August 30, 2017, Erving was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2018 fifth-round pick (#159-Daurice Fountain).[12] He played in 13 games, making four starts (three at right guard and one at left tackle).

On May 2, 2018, the Chiefs declined the fifth-year option on Erving's contract.[13] On September 4, 2018, Erving signed a two-year contract extension with the Chiefs.[14] Although he was considered to be at risk of making the team, he earned the starting left guard position during training camp. He appeared in 14 games with 13 starts.

In 2019, he started eight games at left tackle, while Eric Fisher recovered from a sports-hernia surgery. Erving won his first championship when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV.[15]

The Chiefs declined the 2020 option on Erving's contract, making him a free agent.[16]

Dallas Cowboys

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On May 6, 2020, Erving signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys, to compete for the swing tackle position.[17] He missed most of training camp with an undisclosed injury, returning to activity until August 27.[18] Because of the season-ending hip injury to La'el Collins, he competed for the starting right tackle position, but was passed on the depth chart by rookie Terence Steele. In the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams, he sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee while blocking for a field goal attempt. On September 15, he was placed on injured reserve with a sprained knee.[19] He was designated to return from injured reserve on October 7, and began practicing with the team again.[20] He was activated on October 24.[21]

In the seventh game against the Washington Football Team, he was named the starter at left tackle, replacing Brandon Knight who had a knee injury. In the eleventh game against the Washington Football Team, he suffered a sprained right knee injury on the opening series and was replaced with Knight. On December 11, 2020, he was placed back on injured reserve, making him ineligible to return during the season.[22] He appeared in 6 games with 5 starts at left tackle.

Carolina Panthers

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On March 17, 2021, Erving signed a two-year contract with the Carolina Panthers.[23] He was named the Panthers starting left tackle for 2021. He suffered a calf injury in Week 9 and was placed on injured reserve on November 8, 2021.[24] He was activated on December 11. He started 9 games at left tackle.

In 2022, he appeared in 11 games as a reserve player and the team's swing tackle, while mentoring rookie offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu.[25]

On May 9, 2023. Erving re-signed with the Panthers on a one-year contract.[26] On August 29, 2023, he was released for final roster cuts before the start of the 2023 season.[27]

New Orleans Saints

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On October 4, 2023, Erving was signed to the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints.[28] He played his first game for the Saints against the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 19, 2023 as the starting right tackle.[29][30] He was signed to the active roster on December 30.[31]

Houston Texans

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On August 3, 2024, Erving signed with the Houston Texans.[32] He was released on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.[33][34] He was released on September 13. He was re-signed on November 12.

References

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  1. ^ "FSU leaning on fresh faces on offensive line". Fox Sports. August 27, 2012.
  2. ^ Patrik Nohe (August 18, 2012). "Cameron Erving flourishing in new role on FSU's O-Line". Miami Herald.
  3. ^ "2013 All-ACC Teams Announced". TheACC.com. December 2, 2013.
  4. ^ Chase Goodbread (November 17, 2014). "FSU OL Cameron Erving's move to center permanent". NFL.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  5. ^ "The Scroll of Phi Delta Theta" (PDF). 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  6. ^ "Cameron Erving Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  7. ^ "2015 NFL Draft Scout Cameron Erving College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  8. ^ Gribble, Andrew (April 30, 2015). "Cleveland Browns draft Florida State OL Cameron Erving in 1st round". ClevelandBrowns.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  9. ^ Cabot, Mary Kay (May 15, 2015). "Cleveland Browns sign 1st-round picks Danny Shelton and Cameron Erving". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  10. ^ Orr, Conor (April 10, 2016). "Browns O-line gives Cam Erving vote of confidence". NFL.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  11. ^ Florjancic, Matthew (July 14, 2016). "Cameron Erving focused on being Cleveland Browns' center". WKYC. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  12. ^ Sessler, Marc (August 30, 2017). "Browns ship Cameron Erving to Chiefs for fifth-rounder". NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 12, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  13. ^ Gantt, Darin (May 2, 2018). "Chiefs won't pick up option on Cameron Erving". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  14. ^ Teicher, Adam (September 4, 2018). "Source: Cameron Erving signs 2-year extension with Chiefs". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on June 23, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  15. ^ Shook, Nick (February 2, 2020). "Chiefs rally once again to defeat 49ers, win SB LIV". NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  16. ^ Alper, Josh (March 1, 2020). "Report: Chiefs not expected to exercise option on Cam Erving's contract". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Archived from the original on March 2, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  17. ^ Phillips, Rob (May 6, 2020). "Veteran Lineman Cameron Erving Agrees To Terms". DallasCowboys.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  18. ^ "Top 3 Tackles Practice Together For First Time". DallasCowboys.com. August 27, 2020. Archived from the original on August 27, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  19. ^ Phillips, Rob (September 15, 2020). "Brandon Carr, LB, OT Signed To Roster; 3 To IR". DallasCowboys.com. Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  20. ^ Phillips, Rob (October 7, 2020). "Practice Report: Gregory Returns; LVE Closer?". DallasCowboys.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  21. ^ "Cowboys LT Cam Erving activated from injured reserve, expected to start vs. Washington". DallasNews.com. October 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  22. ^ Williams, Charean (December 11, 2020). "Cowboys place Cameron Erving on IR for a second time". NBCSports.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  23. ^ Gantt, Darin (March 18, 2021). "Panthers bolster defense on first official day of free agency". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  24. ^ Gantt, Darin (November 8, 2021). "Panthers place two starting linemen on injured reserve". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  25. ^ Gantt, Darin (October 22, 2022). "The Ickey Whisperer: How Cam Erving became a mentor to Ikem Ekwonu". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  26. ^ "Panthers agree to terms with Cam Erving". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  27. ^ Gantt, Darin (August 29, 2023). "Panthers get to 53-man roster with three more moves". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  28. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. October 4, 2023. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  29. ^ "Saints shaking up starting offensive line with starters out". nola.com. October 19, 2023. Archived from the original on October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  30. ^ "National Football League Game Summary (Gamebook)" (PDF). neworleanssaints.com. October 19, 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  31. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. December 30, 2023.
  32. ^ Thompson, Cole (August 3, 2024). "Texans sign veteran offensive lineman Cameron Erving". Texans Wire. USA Today. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  33. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (08-27-2024)". HoustonTexans.com. August 27, 2024.
  34. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (08-28-2024)". HoustonTexans.com. August 28, 2024.
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