The Memphis Showboat placed defensive tackle John Atkins Sr. (undisclosed) on injured reserve on Thursday according to Pro Football Newsroom reporter James Larsen.
John Atkins Sr. is six foot three and weighs 320 pounds. The 32-year-old from Thomson, Georgia, re-signed with the Memphis Showboats on August 26, 2024. In 2025, Atkins Sr. made three tackles (2 solos, 1 assist) in two games.
Atkins Sr. signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He would also spend time with the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons playing 14 games with 22 tackles (14 solos, 8 assists).
The Memphis Showboats (then the Tampa Bay Bandits) drafted Atkins Sr. in the 26th round (210th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. In 2022, Atkins made 26 tackles (13 solos, 13 assists), two tackles for loss, half a sack, and one pass breakup in ten games for the Bandits.
In 2023, Atkins Sr. made 29 tackles (13 solos, 16 assists), four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and seven pass breakups in ten games. He was named to the All-USFL Team in 2023. The Showboats re-signed Atkins Sr. on December 6, 2023. In 2024, Atkins Sr. made 21 tackles (10 solos, 11 assists) and one fumble recovery in 10 games.
Collegiately, Atkins played four seasons at Georgia (2014-17) with 81 tackles (30 solos, 51 assists), 3.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 36 games for the Bulldogs.
