Carson Tinker (born November 15, 1989) is a former American football long snapper. He played college football at Alabama, where was a member of their 2009 National Championship team and played as the starting long snapper for both the 2011 and 2012 national championship teams. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2013.

Carson Tinker
refer to caption
Tinker with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014
Personal information
Born: (1989-11-15) November 15, 1989 (age 35)
Decatur, Alabama, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:237 lb (108 kg)
Career information
High school:Riverdale
(Murfreesboro, Tennessee)
College:Alabama (2008–2012)
Position:Long snapper
Undrafted:2013
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Games played:99
Total tackles:18
Stats at Pro Football Reference

College career

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After he was redshirted for the 2008 season, Tinker saw his first action in Alabama's game against Chattanooga during the 2009 season.[1] For the 2010 season, Tinker was elevated as the starting long snapper for the Crimson Tide and converted 121 of 123 snapping opportunities during the season.[1] For the 2011 season, Tinker converted all 119 snapping opportunities en route to the 2011 national championship.[1] Tinker was selected by his teammates to accept the 2011 Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award on December 8, 2011, on behalf of the entire team in recognition for their collective efforts in the rebuilding of Tuscaloosa after the tornado.[2][3]

For his first four years with the Crimson Tide, Tinker played as a member of the team as a walk-on.[4] Prior to the start of his senior season, Tinker was awarded a full athletic scholarship for the year by Nick Saban in recognition of his accomplishments on and off the field.[4] In 2012, Tinker again served as the starting long snapper and converted 133 of 135 snapping opportunities during the season.[1]

Professional career

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Pre-draft

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+18 in
(1.83 m)
233 lb
(106 kg)
31+38 in
(0.80 m)
9+18 in
(0.23 m)
5.00 s 1.73 s 2.97 s 8.06 s 26.0 in
(0.66 m)
8 ft 1 in
(2.46 m)
17 reps
All values from Pro Day[5]

At the end of his senior season at Alabama, Tinker was ranked as the top available long snapper for the 2013 NFL draft.[6]

Jacksonville Jaguars (first stint)

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Tinker with the Jaguars in 2014

After going undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft, Tinker signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.[7] In training camp, he competed for the starting long snapper position with veteran Jeremy Cain and rookie Luke Ingram.[8] On August 25, Tinker won the starting job after Cain and Ingram were released.[8]

On August 3, 2017, during training camp, Tinker suffered a torn ACL and was placed on injured reserve.[9]

On October 11, 2018, Tinker was placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed knee injury.[10]

On March 8, 2019, the Jaguars released Tinker due to salary cap space issues.[11]

New York Giants

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After sitting out the 2019 NFL season, Tinker was signed by the New York Giants on September 2, 2020.[12] He was released on September 5, 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day.[13][14] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 4, 2021.[15] He was released on August 24, 2021.[16]

Tampa Bay Buccanners

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On September 13, 2021, Tinker was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[17] He was released on November 23.

Las Vegas Raiders

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On December 1, 2021, Tinker was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders.[18] He was released on December 9 after Trent Sieg returned to the active roster from the Reserve/COVID list.

Los Angeles Rams (first stint)

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On December 18, 2021, Tinker was signed to the Los Angeles Rams practice squad. Tinker won his first Super Bowl ring when the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.[19]

Seattle Seahawks

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On September 8, 2022, Tinker signed with the practice squad of the Seattle Seahawks.[20] He was signed to the active roster six days later.[21]

Jacksonville Jaguars (second stint)

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On August 14, 2023, Tinker signed with the Jaguars.[22] He was released on August 20, 2023.[23]

Los Angeles Rams (second stint)

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On December 12, 2023, Tinker was signed by the Rams to their active roster.[24]

Personal life

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Tinker was born on November 15, 1989, in Decatur, Alabama.[25] On April 27, 2011, Tinker suffered a personal tragedy when his girlfriend Ashley Harrison was killed during the 2011 Tuscaloosa – Birmingham tornado.[26] In recognition for his efforts in helping the Tuscaloosa community rebuild in the aftermath of the tornado, Tinker was named as a finalist for the 2011 Sportsman of the Year.[27] On May 1, 2014, Tinker published his first book, A Season to Remember: Faith in the Midst of the Storm (B&H Publishing Group, Nashville TN), which details his experience in the 2011 Tuscaloosa tornado as well as the 2011–12 University of Alabama football championship season.[28] He has also been focused on promoting his foundation, The Be A Blessing Foundation, a tax-exempt 501(c)-3 charitable foundation created to help those who have suffered any kind of loss or hardship, to stop living in their circumstance and begin living in their vision.[29]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Carson Tinker profile". RollTide.com. Archived from the original on November 19, 2012. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  2. ^ Deas, Tommy (November 22, 2011). "Alabama wins Disney Spirit Award for efforts following storm". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  3. ^ Hicks, Tommy (December 12, 2011). "Carson Tinker belongs among heroes, and not just the sports kind". Press-Register. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Alabama awards Carson Tinker scholarship". Yahoo! Sports. Associated Press. August 21, 2012. Archived from the original on November 21, 2012. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  5. ^ "2013 NFL Draft Scout Carson Tinker College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  6. ^ "2013 NFL Draft Prospects". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  7. ^ Kausler Jr., Don (April 27, 2013). "Alabama draft recap: The Tide only did better in 1945, when there were 32 rounds". AL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  8. ^ a b Gribble, Andrew (August 25, 2013). "Carson Tinker lone remaining long snapper on Jacksonville Jaguars' roster after Sunday cuts". AL.com. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  9. ^ "Jaguars Make Roster Moves". Jaguars.com. August 3, 2017. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017.
  10. ^ "Jaguars Sign Long Snapper Matt Overton". Jaguars.com. October 12, 2018.
  11. ^ Oehser, John (March 8, 2019). "Parting ways: Jackson, Parnell, Gipson, Hyde, Tinker released". Jaguars.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  12. ^ Eisen, Michael (September 2, 2020). "Giants sign LS Carson Tinker, waive TE Rysen John". Giants.com. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  13. ^ Eisen, Michael (September 5, 2020). "New York Giants announce 53-man roster". Giants.com.
  14. ^ Eisen, Michael (September 6, 2020). "Giants sign 14 to practice squad; 2 spots open". Giants.com.
  15. ^ Eisen, Michael (January 4, 2021). "Giants sign 2 free agents to renegotiated contracts; 13 players to reserve/future contracts". Giants.com.
  16. ^ Eisen, Michael (August 24, 2021). "Giants reach NFL's roster limit of 80 players". Giants.com.
  17. ^ Smith, Scott (September 13, 2021). "Bucs Promote Andrew Adams, Put Two on IR". Buccaneers.com.
  18. ^ Damien, Levi (December 1, 2021). "Raiders sign free agent LS Carson Tinker with Trent Sieg on reserve/COVID-19 list". raiderswire.usatoday.com.
  19. ^ "Super Bowl LVI - Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals - February 13th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  20. ^ Inabinett, Mark (September 8, 2022). "Carson Tinker returns to an NFL roster". AL.com. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  21. ^ Boyle, John (September 14, 2022). "Seahawks Sign Carson Tinker, Place Tyler Ott On Injured Reserve". Seahawks.com. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  22. ^ "Jaguars activate OL Ben Bartch, sign LS Carson Tinker". NBCSports.com. August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  23. ^ "Roster Moves: Jaguars Sign Long Snapper Tucker Addington". Jaguars.com. Jacksonville Jaguars. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  24. ^ Jackson, Stu. "Rams sign long snapper Carson Tinker". therams.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  25. ^ Goodbread, Chase (June 28, 2011). "Tornado had emotional impact on Tide athletes". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  26. ^ Anderson, Lars (May 23, 2011). "Terror, tragedy and hope in Tuscaloosa". Sports Illustrated. sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  27. ^ Anderson, Lars (November 4, 2011). "My Sportsman: Carson Tinker". Sports Illustrated. sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2011. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  28. ^ "A Season to Remember". B&H Publishing. Archived from the original on January 2, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  29. ^ "Be a Blessing | Carson Tinker". Archived from the original on May 27, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
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