The Edmonton Elks released quarterback Vinny Testaverde Jr. and running back James Wilder Jr. on Wednesday.
Vinny Testaverde Jr., a 26-year-old from Tampa, Florida, signed with the Elks in February. Before signing with the Elks, he attended training camp for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019. He later joined the B.C. Lions in 2020, and the Arizona Rattlers (IFL) in 2021.
Collegiately, Testaverde played one season at Texas Tech in 2014. He completed 15 of 26 passes (57.7%) for 116 yards and one interception for the Red Raiders. Then, he transferred to the University of Miami for two seasons but did not play a game.
Afterward, he transferred to the University of Albany. He completed 117 of 219 passes (53.4%) for 1,714 yards, 11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 31 carries for -81 yards, and two touchdowns in eight games for the Great Danes
Testaverde Jr. is the son of former NFL quarterback Vinny Testaverde. Vinny played 21 seasons in the NFL with seven teams, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, New York Jets, and Carolina Panthers. In his career, he threw for 46,233 yards, which ranks him 16th all-time, and threw 275 touchdowns passing touchdowns, ranking him 18th all-time.
James Wilder Jr., a 30-year-old from Tampa, Florida, had 28 carries for 124 yards, and nine catches for 90 yards in three games for the Elks in 2022. Wilder Jr., played two seasons in Edmonton with 170 carries for 894 yards, two touchdowns, 37 catches for 316 yards, and one touchdown in 15 games. Before Edmonton, Wilder Jr., played three seasons for the Toronto Argonauts with 360 carries for 2,023 yards, nine touchdowns, 154 catches for 1,487 yards, and five touchdowns in 44 games.
In his rookie year, he had 122 carries for 872 yards, five touchdowns, and 51 catches for 533 yards, helping the Argonauts win the 2017 Grey Cup championship, and was named the CFL Most Outstanding Rookie.
Collegiately, Wilder Jr. played three seasons at Florida State (2011-13) with 226 carries for 1,363 yards, 20 touchdowns, 24 catches for 182 yards, and two touchdowns in 39 games for the Seminoles. Afterward, he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent and later spent time on the Buffalo Bills practice squad.
