Former Vols standout reportedly on the NFL roster bubble ahead of final preseason game
A former Tennessee Vols standout is on the NFL roster bubble entering the final stretch of the preseason according to The Athletic. Former Vols defensive lineman Matthew Butler is reportedly battling for one of the final spots on the Las Vegas Raiders' 53-man roster. From The Athletic: There are only nine or 10 roster spots […]
A former Tennessee Vols standout is on the NFL roster bubble entering the final stretch of the preseason according to The Athletic.
Former Vols defensive lineman Matthew Butler is reportedly battling for one of the final spots on the Las Vegas Raiders' 53-man roster.
From The Athletic: There are only nine or 10 roster spots to be had for all these defensive linemen, and Matthew Butler and Neil Farrell Jr. — last year’s draft picks who were unable to crack the rotation — are squarely on the bubble.
But having a new position coach has seemed to help Butler especially.
“Matt is a powerful, strong guy, and he works his butt off,” Leonard said. “Anything you ask Matt to do, he will go out there and work on it pre-practice and post-practice. He is another guy that has modeled Maxx’s routine.”
Butler was a fifth round selection by the Raiders in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Raleigh, NC native played in six games as a rookie last season, totaling 5 tackles and 0.5 sacks in 2022.
Butler went viral earlier this month for a vicious hit he delivered to a Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman during a joint practice.
Butler does a lot of the little things that don't show up in the box score. He may not put up gaudy numbers, but the way he affects the line of scrimmage (and the run game) could be enough for the former Vol to secure a roster spot in Las Vegas this season.
Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
