Daryl Worley Bio
Daryl Worley is an American professional football safety and cornerback who has played in the National Football League since 2016. Born on February 22, 1995, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Worley built a reputation as a physical defensive back during his college years at West Virginia before launching a journeyman pro career across multiple NFL franchises. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 205 pounds, he is known for his willingness to play in the box against the run while also lining up on the outside in coverage.
After entering the league as a third-round draft pick of the Carolina Panthers, Worley has spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, and Washington Commanders. Across nearly a decade in the NFL, he has developed into a reliable veteran reserve capable of contributing on special teams and in sub-package defensive roles.
Early Life and Background
Daryl Worley grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he attended the William Penn Charter School. Playing under head coach Jeff Humble, he starred as both a wide receiver and a defensive back for one of the most storied prep programs in the region. His athleticism and football instincts made him a two-way standout throughout his high school career.
As a receiver, Worley earned first-team honors during both his junior and senior seasons, showing the same ball skills and competitiveness that would later define his defensive work. On the other side of the ball, he was recognized as a first-team defensive back as a senior and was named an All-Southeastern Pennsylvania First Team defensive back. He was also a two-time Penn Inter-Ac League First Team selection and was rated the top cornerback in Southeastern Pennsylvania by the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Path to American Football
Coming out of William Penn Charter, Worley was a sought-after recruit who chose to continue his career at West Virginia University. He joined the Mountaineers in 2013 and immediately worked into the secondary as a true freshman, appearing in 11 games with five starts while focusing heavily on special teams. That early playing time helped him sharpen his tackling and coverage techniques at the college level.
By his sophomore season, Worley was a full-time starter and led West Virginia with three interceptions, finishing as the team’s fifth-leading tackler. His strong play in the weight room earned him the program’s Iron Mountaineer honor for excellence in strength training. As a junior in 2015, his six interceptions and 12 pass breakups placed him among the nation’s leaders and earned him First Team All-Big 12 recognition, cementing his decision to enter the 2016 NFL Draft.
Daryl Worley Career
Early Career (2016-2017)
The Carolina Panthers selected Daryl Worley in the third round, 77th overall, of the 2016 NFL Draft and signed him to a four-year rookie contract. He opened his rookie year as the third cornerback on the depth chart behind Bené Benwikere and fellow rookie James Bradberry. After Week 4 struggles in coverage, Worley was promoted into the starting lineup and steadily grew into a regular role on the outside.
In 2017, Worley became a full-time starter at right cornerback for the Panthers, appearing in 15 games with 14 starts. He produced 64 tackles, including four for loss, along with two interceptions, 10 passes defensed, one sack, and one quarterback hit, establishing himself as a dependable young corner before his time in Carolina came to a close.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2018)
On March 14, 2018, the Panthers traded Worley to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for veteran wide receiver Torrey Smith, giving him a chance to return home. The move was intended to add competition and depth to the Eagles’ secondary as they prepared to defend their Super Bowl championship.
His time in Philadelphia, however, was cut short. On April 15, 2018, Worley was arrested by Philadelphia police on charges including driving under the influence and disorderly conduct, and he was released by the team the following day, ending his brief Eagles tenure before he played a regular-season snap for the club.
Oakland Raiders Era (2018-2019)
Worley signed a one-year contract with the Oakland Raiders in April 2018 and served a four-game suspension to open the season for violations of the league’s substance abuse and personal conduct policies. Once activated, he earned a starting role at cornerback and recorded his first interception as a Raider in Week 6 against the Seattle Seahawks, picking off quarterback Russell Wilson.
In 2019, Worley became a full-time starter and produced 58 tackles, one interception, eight passes defensed, and a fumble recovery across 15 starts. A standout play came in Week 9, when he snared a one-handed interception of Matthew Stafford in the end zone against the Detroit Lions. He finished his Oakland stint as a versatile defender capable of playing outside cornerback, slot, and safety.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2020)
Worley signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys in April 2020, competing for the starting right cornerback role during training camp. With injuries hitting the cornerback group early in the season, he was pressed into action at left cornerback opposite rookie Trevon Diggs. He logged seven appearances and four starts before being released in late October.
During his brief Cowboys tenure, Worley recorded 13 tackles and one pass defensed, including a difficult stretch in which opposing offenses frequently targeted him in coverage. His release came as part of a broader roster reshuffling that included several notable veteran additions to the Dallas defense.
Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders Stints (2020)
Following his release from Dallas, Worley was signed to the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad in November 2020. He was briefly elevated to the active roster for a Week 10 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals before being signed off the practice squad by the Las Vegas Raiders in December 2020, joining a secondary hit hard by injuries.
With the Raiders, Worley appeared in two games with one start, contributing eight tackles and two passes defensed before the season ended. He was not retained by Las Vegas, opening the door for the next chapter of his career in Arizona.
Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions Stints (2021)
Worley signed with the Arizona Cardinals in July 2021 but was released during final roster cuts in late August. Shortly afterward, he joined the Detroit Lions’ practice squad in mid-September, was promoted to the active roster within a week, and continued to bounce between the active roster and practice squad through the fall.
His Detroit stay included a brief promotion to the active roster in September and another practice squad signing after his release in late October. Although his playing time was limited, Worley provided experienced depth for a Lions secondary in transition.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2021-2024)
Worley signed with the Baltimore Ravens practice squad in December 2021 and has returned to the organization several times since. Across multiple seasons, he has been elevated, released, and re-signed as the team navigated injuries and roster moves in the secondary, eventually working his way back into a starting role.
During the 2022 season he appeared in eight games with one start, recording five tackles and two passes defensed in the finale against the Cincinnati Bengals while helping to defend star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. He re-signed with Baltimore in 2023 and 2024, splitting time between the practice squad and active roster, including a stint on injured reserve in 2022 before being activated later that season.
Tennessee Titans Era (2024)
In November 2024, Worley joined the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad as injuries piled up in the defensive backfield. He earned three game-day elevations, including his first start for Tennessee in a Week 12 win over the Houston Texans while filling in at safety for an ill Amani Hooker.
Promoted to the active roster later that month, Worley started at cornerback in Week 13 against the Washington Commanders and set a career high with 17 tackles. He finished the 2024 season with nine appearances, 52 tackles, one forced fumble, and an interception, cementing his value as a versatile veteran.
Washington Commanders Era (2025)
Worley signed with the Washington Commanders on August 14, 2025, but was released during final cuts later that month. He returned to the organization in November when the Commanders signed him to their practice squad, providing experienced depth during the stretch run of the regular season before being released again in late November.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Worley’s career was his 2015 First Team All-Big 12 selection after leading West Virginia with six interceptions. In the NFL, his one-handed end-zone interception against Matthew Stafford with the Oakland Raiders stands out as one of his most dramatic plays, along with a career-high 17-tackle performance for the Tennessee Titans in 2024.
Daryl Worley Career Wins
Worley has not earned major individual awards at the NFL level, but he has consistently contributed as a starter and key rotational defender across multiple franchises. His career highlights include two interceptions during his 2017 breakout season with the Panthers, an All-Big 12 honor in college, and meaningful production in starting roles with the Raiders, Ravens, and Titans.
Daryl Worley Family
Personal Life
Daryl Worley is a Philadelphia native who attended the William Penn Charter School before heading to West Virginia. He has spent much of his professional career living near the cities of his various NFL teams, though specific public details about his family life and relationships remain limited.
2025 Season Performance
Worley entered 2025 as a veteran free agent looking to extend his journeyman career into a tenth NFL season. His brief summer stint with the Washington Commanders ended during final roster cuts, keeping him on the open market through the early weeks of the regular season as teams sorted out their depth charts.
In November, the Commanders brought him back on the practice squad to reinforce a secondary dealing with injuries. Although his release later that month closed out his 2025 appearances, his ability to draw interest late in the year underscored his reputation as a dependable, scheme-flexible reserve. With his versatility and special teams value, Worley is positioned to remain an attractive option for teams seeking experienced secondary help heading into the offseason.