Craig Reynolds Bio
Craig Reynolds is an American professional football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kutztown Golden Bears and entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Redskins following the 2019 NFL draft. Standing 180 cm tall and listed at 98 kg, Reynolds has built his career as a hard-running back through practice-squad promotions and special-teams contributions before earning a larger offensive role.
Early Life and Background
Craig Reynolds was born on June 15, 1996, in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. He grew up in the same Pennsylvania community where he developed an early interest in football, a sport that ran through his family. Reynolds attended Abington High School, where he played at the running back position and began attracting attention from college recruiters.
His older brother, Eric, was a high school football standout and a potential NFL prospect before becoming addicted to drugs. Eric has been in prison since Craig was in sixth grade, and Craig has spoken about calling Eric before every game as a way to stay connected to his family and his roots. The experience shaped Reynolds’ perspective on the opportunities the game has given him.
Path to American Football
After completing high school, Reynolds committed to Kutztown University, a Division II program in Pennsylvania, where he joined the Kutztown Golden Bears football team. He redshirted as a true freshman, preserving a year of eligibility while adjusting to the college game. The patience paid off as he developed into one of the most productive backs in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).
As a redshirt sophomore, Reynolds led the PSAC with 1,189 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns and was named first-team All-PSAC East. He followed that with another first-team selection in his redshirt junior season despite a midseason injury, then earned the honor a third straight year as a redshirt senior, finishing as Kutztown’s third all-time leading rusher with 2,650 yards and second in school history with 5,277 all-purpose yards. His consistent production at the Division II level drew enough attention to earn him an invitation to the Washington Redskins’ rookie mini camp in May 2019.
Craig Reynolds Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Reynolds signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2019, after participating in the team’s rookie mini camp. He was waived during final roster cuts but was quickly re-signed to the practice squad on September 1. Reynolds was promoted to the active roster on October 19 and made his NFL debut the following day against the San Francisco 49ers, appearing on special teams. He was waived on November 5 and, a few days later, was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad, where he finished the 2019 season.
In 2020, Reynolds shuttled between the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars practice squads. He was waived by the Falcons in early September, spent time on the Jaguars practice squad, was signed to their active roster late in November, and bounced between the active roster and practice squad through the end of the season. After signing a reserve/future contract with Jacksonville in January 2021, he was waived in March, closing a developmental chapter defined by perseverance.
Detroit Lions Breakthrough (2021–2025)
On August 12, 2021, Reynolds signed with the Detroit Lions and was waived before the regular season, only to return to the practice squad the next day. His opportunity arrived in mid-December when injuries elevated him to the active roster. Reynolds gained 83 yards on 11 carries against the Denver Broncos in Week 14 and then made his first career start the following week, rushing for 112 yards on 26 carries in a 30–12 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The performance convinced Detroit to sign him to a contract through the 2022 season.
Reynolds made the Lions’ final roster in 2022 as the third running back on the depth chart before a midseason injured-reserve stint. After re-signing in March 2023, he scored his first career touchdown on October 8, 2023, in a 42–24 win over the Carolina Panthers. The following week, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Reynolds delivered a widely celebrated block that helped Amon-Ra St. Brown score a touchdown and secure a lead Detroit would not relinquish. The Lions released Reynolds on November 26, 2025.
New England Patriots Era (2025–Present)
On November 28, 2025, Reynolds was signed to the New England Patriots’ practice squad, giving him a quick landing spot after his release from Detroit. The move reunited him with a Patriots organization in the middle of a roster rebuild. Reynolds is expected to compete for a depth role in the New England backfield heading into the back end of the 2025 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Reynolds is a physical, between-the-tackles runner whose game is built on toughness, vision, and reliable pass protection. He showed the latter trait prominently with Detroit, and his willingness to throw key blocks has earned the trust of coaching staffs. His compact build and lower-body strength allow him to absorb contact and grind out tough yardage in short-yardage situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Reynolds’ first career start, a 112-yard performance against Arizona in December 2021, stands as the turning point of his NFL journey. His first career touchdown came against Carolina in October 2023, and his now-famous block for St. Brown against Tampa Bay the following week became one of the most replayed highlight moments of that Lions season. Three consecutive first-team All-PSAC East honors at Kutztown round out his list of milestone achievements.
Craig Reynolds Career Wins
As a running back, Craig Reynolds’ win totals are tied to team success rather than individual victories. He has been part of winning locker rooms in Detroit, including the 30–12 win over the Cardinals in his first NFL start and the 42–24 victory over the Panthers in which he scored his first career touchdown. His All-PSAC East selections at Kutztown also represent the high points of his college résumé.
Detroit Lions Highlights
Reynolds’ most memorable moments came as a Detroit Lion. He made his first NFL start against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15 of the 2021 season and posted 112 rushing yards in a Lions win. In 2023, he found the end zone for the first time against Carolina and became a viral moment the next week for his lead block against Tampa Bay. His consistent special-teams play and short-yardage work helped anchor the Lions’ run game depth.
Other Wins and Performances
Before his NFL breakthrough, Reynolds earned three consecutive first-team All-PSAC East honors at Kutztown, leading the conference in rushing as a sophomore and finishing his college career as the program’s third all-time leading rusher. Those honors reflect the production that first put him on NFL radars.
Craig Reynolds Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Craig Reynolds was raised in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, in a household shaped by football. His older brother, Eric, starred at the high school level and was considered a potential NFL prospect before his life took a different path. The brothers remain close, and Craig has credited Eric with motivating him throughout his football journey.
Personal Life
Reynolds keeps much of his personal life private, but he has shared that he calls his brother Eric before every game. That routine has become a meaningful ritual for him as he has moved between NFL cities. Beyond football, Reynolds maintains a presence on social media, where he engages with fans and shares glimpses of his training.
2025 Season Performance
Reynolds began 2025 with the Detroit Lions, where he remained part of the running back rotation before his release on November 26. The move came amid a season in which Detroit’s backfield featured multiple contributors, limiting Reynolds’ offensive snaps in the latter stages. His departure opened the door for a fresh opportunity elsewhere.
Two days after his release, Reynolds signed with the New England Patriots’ practice squad on November 28, 2025. The Patriots were navigating a transitional season and looking for experienced depth at running back. The signing positioned Reynolds to compete for a promotion to the active roster as the season progressed.
Heading into the close of the 2025 campaign, Reynolds’ focus is on earning a longer-term role in New England and showcasing the physical running style and blocking reliability that defined his Lions tenure. With the Patriots still building out their offensive identity, his work on the practice squad offers a path back to consistent game action and, potentially, a roster spot for 2026.