D. J. Montgomery Bio
D. J. Montgomery (born November 17, 1996) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 200 pounds, he has built his career as a practice-squad contributor and special-teams participant across multiple organizations. Montgomery played college football for the Austin Peay Governors after beginning his career at Holmes Community College.
Over the course of his professional journey, Montgomery has also spent time with the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Houston Texans, and Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League (USFL). He has been a member of the Indianapolis Colts across two separate stints, first in 2022 and again beginning in August 2023.
Early Life and Background
D. J. Montgomery was born on November 17, 1996, in Madison, Mississippi, where he grew up and attended Madison Central High School. During his high school years, he developed into a pass-catching prospect and drew attention from college recruiters in the Southeast. Madison Central produced several college-level athletes, and Montgomery used that environment to sharpen his route-running and receiving skills.
Coming out of high school, Montgomery was not heavily recruited by top-tier programs, so he took the junior college route to continue his development. He enrolled at Holmes Community College in Mississippi, where he spent his freshman year refining his craft against community college competition. The decision to attend Holmes allowed him to earn a three-star prospect rating and positioned him for a chance to transfer to a four-year program.
Path to American Football
At Holmes Community College, Montgomery emerged as one of the top receivers in the state. As a sophomore, he caught 36 passes for 991 yards and ten touchdowns, earning first-team All-State honors. That production helped him secure a transfer opportunity at the Division I level.
He committed to Austin Peay State University, where he joined the Governors football program. In his first season with the Governors, Montgomery became a starter and finished second on the team with 19 receptions and 228 receiving yards, adding three touchdowns. As a senior, he elevated his production with 42 catches for 797 yards and ten touchdowns, cementing his draft-eligible profile and generating interest from NFL scouts despite his smaller-school background.
D. J. Montgomery Career
Early Career (2019)
Following the 2019 NFL Draft, Montgomery signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2019. He competed for a depth-chart spot during the Browns’ offseason program and training camp, working primarily as a wide receiver and contributor on special teams. His path to the active roster, however, was interrupted by injury.
Montgomery suffered a hamstring injury during training camp and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on August 21, 2019. He was waived by the Browns on August 19, 2020, closing his first NFL chapter without appearing in a regular-season game.
New York Jets Tenure (2020–2022)
Montgomery was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets on August 30, 2020. He was released before the start of the regular season and re-signed to the Jets practice squad. Montgomery remained on the practice squad for the entirety of the 2020 season and signed a reserve/futures contract with the team on January 4, 2021.
He was waived at the end of training camp on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. Montgomery was elevated to the active roster on December 12, 2021, for the team’s Week 14 game against the New Orleans Saints. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Jets on January 10, 2022, but was waived on May 10, 2022, re-signed on May 24, 2022, and waived again on July 26, 2022.
Indianapolis Colts First Stint (2022)
Montgomery was signed by the Indianapolis Colts on August 3, 2022, in search of a depth addition at wide receiver. He was waived by the Colts on August 22, 2022, before the regular season began, ending his first Indianapolis tenure. He briefly joined the Houston Texans’ practice squad on December 14, 2022, to close out that campaign.
Michigan Panthers and Return to Indianapolis (2023)
Looking for a chance at consistent playing time, Montgomery signed with the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League on June 1, 2023. He was released from his Panthers contract on August 18, 2023, to sign with an NFL team. That same day, he returned to the Indianapolis Colts, where he has remained since.
With the Colts, Montgomery was waived on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad. He was signed to the active roster on December 14, 2023. He was released on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad, then signed a reserve/future contract on January 6, 2025. He was placed on injured reserve on August 13.
Notable Events and Milestones
Montgomery’s first NFL game action came with the Jets in Week 14 of the 2021 season against the New Orleans Saints, marking the realization of years spent on practice squads. His 991-yard, ten-touchdown sophomore season at Holmes Community College stands as his most statistically dominant stretch of football.
D. J. Montgomery Career Wins
As a journeyman wide receiver who has spent significant time on practice squads, Montgomery’s individual win totals are not the defining measure of his professional arc. His career has been built on persistence, daily improvement, and the ability to stay ready when opportunities arrive.
Other Wins and Performances
Montgomery’s All-State sophomore season at Holmes Community College remains his signature statistical achievement. At Austin Peay, his senior campaign of 42 catches, 797 yards, and ten touchdowns underscored his ability to produce at the Division I FCS level. Across his NFL stops, he has been valued for his dependability on practice fields and on special teams.
D. J. Montgomery Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Montgomery was raised in Madison, Mississippi, the same community where he attended Madison Central High School. Publicly available details about his parents and extended family remain limited, and he has not publicized those connections in connection with his professional career.
Personal Life
Off the field, Montgomery maintains an active presence on social media, where fans can follow his professional updates. He has kept his personal and family life largely private, focusing public attention on his development as a professional athlete and his work within the Colts organization.
2025 Season Performance
Montgomery entered the 2025 offseason coming off a reserve/future contract signed with the Indianapolis Colts in January 2025. The Colts’ wide receiver room remained crowded, placing him in a familiar role of competing for a depth spot while contributing on special teams. His familiarity with the team’s scheme and practice-squad structure gave him continuity as offseason workouts progressed.
His 2025 outlook was complicated when he was placed on injured reserve on August 13, a setback that delayed his push for the active roster. Such placement is common for depth players, who can return once healthy and rejoin the rotation later in the campaign. His experience within the Colts’ system positioned him as a candidate to contribute when activated.
Looking across the season, Montgomery’s path mirrors that of many undrafted wide receivers who build long careers through perseverance. Whether he cracks the active roster or rebuilds value on the practice squad, his 2025 season reflects a player who continues to invest in his craft with the Indianapolis Colts.