One of the smallest players in NFL history was brutally cut this week despite only practicing in walkthroughs without pads in the past few days, with his NFL future now in question.
Deuce Vaughn is entering his fourth year in the NFL, after initially being withthe Dallas Cowboyswhen his father's team drafted him. His father, Chris, is a scout for the Cowboys and was given the responsibility of calling Deuce to let him know they'd drafted him in the sixth round of the 2023 class.
The 5-foot-5 running back spent two years with the Cowboys, behind the likes of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, before moving on tothe Broncoslast season, spending time on the practice squad while just missing out on a Super Bowl appearance. It comes asan ESPN show halted for breaking NFL news about the Broncos and the Chiefs.
•Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel saga — Rented private boat, husband's setback, wife 'broken'
•Cameron Young using controversial new golf ball at PGA Championship
Vaughn's size saw him fall to the sixth round, while hoping to make an impact as a running back and receiver in the league.
The offensive player impressed in preseason, but has had limited impact in his regular-season games in the NFL, with the Broncos cutting him this week.
The Broncos instead signed tryout players Michael Woods (wide receiver) and Paul Manning (cornerback), releasing Vaughn and Will Wright (cornerback) in the process.
Advertisement
This came after Denver signed him to a futures contract after the 2025 season, indicating that it wanted to keep him around in the offense.
Vaughn will now hope to latch on with another team to keep his NFL dreams alive.
He is believed to be the second-shortest player in NFL history, behind Jack Shapiro, who played in the league in 1929 at just 5-foot-1.
Vaughn was compared to Darren Sproles when he came into the league, a running back and wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, and Philadelphia Eagles, who spent 14 years in the league.
Both Sproles and Vaughn had played for the Kansas State Wildcats.
The Broncos have made some big moves this offseason to bolster their roster, which came just a few plays away from making it to the Super Bowl — headlined by trading their first-round pick to acquire Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins.
They'll hope to see quarterback Bo Nix take a step up after a somewhat disappointing second season, after impressing as a rookie.
They'll also hope to see their defensive unit continue to dominate.
Elsewhere,Jaxson Dart has issued a violent promise to New York Giants fans.
