Daniel Ekuale

Daniel Ekuale was re- signed by the New England Patriots as an unrestricted free agent on March 23, 2023 ... Originally signed by Cleveland as a rookie free agent (5/4/18) ... Released by Cleveland (9/1/18) ... Signed by Cleveland to the practice squad (9/2/18) ... Released by Cleveland from the practice squad (12/5/18) ... Signed by Cleveland (1/2/19) ... Released by Cleveland (9/5/20) ... Signed by Jacksonville to the practice squad (9/8/20) ... Signed by Jacksonville to the 53-man roster from the practice squad (9/28/20) ... Released by Jacksonville (9/1/21) ... Signed by New England to the practice squad (9/5/21) ... Elevated by New England to the active roster (10/23/21) ... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (10/25/21) ... Elevated by New England to the active roster (10/30/21) ... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (11/1/21) ... Elevated by New England to the active roster (12/6/21)... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (12/7/21).... Elevated by New England to the active roster (12/18/21)... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (12/20/21)...Elevated by New England to the active roster (12/25/21)... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (12/27/21).... Elevated by New England to the active roster (1/1/22)... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (1/3/22)... Elevated by New England to the active roster (1/8/22)... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (1/10/22)... Elevated by New England to the active roster (1/14/22)... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (1/16/22) ... Signed by New England to a futures contract on (1/25/22).

*Pronounced ee-QWALL-lay*

CAREER TRANSACTIONS

Daniel Ekuale was re- signed by the New England Patriots as an unrestricted free agent on March 23, 2023 ... Originally signed by Cleveland as a rookie free agent (5/4/18) ... Released by Cleveland (9/1/18) ... Signed by Cleveland to the practice squad (9/2/18) ... Released by Cleveland from the practice squad (12/5/18) ... Signed by Cleveland (1/2/19) ... Released by Cleveland (9/5/20) ... Signed by Jacksonville to the practice squad (9/8/20) ... Signed by Jacksonville to the 53-man roster from the practice squad (9/28/20) ... Released by Jacksonville (9/1/21) ... Signed by New England to the practice squad (9/5/21) ... Elevated by New England to the active roster (10/23/21) ... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (10/25/21) ... Elevated by New England to the active roster (10/30/21) ... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (11/1/21) ... Elevated by New England to the active roster (12/6/21)... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (12/7/21).... Elevated by New England to the active roster (12/18/21)... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (12/20/21)...Elevated by New England to the active roster (12/25/21)... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (12/27/21).... Elevated by New England to the active roster (1/1/22)... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (1/3/22)... Elevated by New England to the active roster (1/8/22)... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (1/10/22)... Elevated by New England to the active roster (1/14/22)... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (1/16/22) ... Signed by New England to a futures contract on (1/25/22).

Seasonal reviews

2024 (16/16)

• Starter on the defensive line.
• Combined with LB Anfernee Jennings for a sack of QB Tyler Huntley in the first quarter vs. Miami (10/6) for a 7 yard loss. Led the team with a career high 9 tackles (4 solo, 5 assisted, 1 for loss) and recorded 1 quarterback hit.
• Inactive vs. the New York Jets (10/27) due to injury.
• Returned to the starting lineup at Tennessee (11/3) after missing a game due to injury.
• Played a key role at Chicago (11/10) limiting the Bears to 142 total yards, the lowest total since holding the Jets to 103 total yards on Nov. 20, 2022. Additionally, held Chicago to 1-for-14 on third down.

2023 (3/0)

• Played the first three games of the season as a reserve defensive lineman and contributed on special teams. He collected 3 tackles (2 solo, 1 assist) and 1 forced fumble before being placed on the injured reserve list.
• Played on the defensive line as a reserve at the N.Y. Jets (9/24) and recorded 1 tackle. Left the game in the second quarter due to injury and did not return.
• Placed on the injured reserve on Sept. 26, 2023.

2022 (15/0)

• Played in 15 games as a reserve defensive lineman and recorded 14 total tackles (10 solo, 4 assist). Also recorded two sacks for 14 yards and had one pass defensed.
• Suspended for the first two games of the season.
• Played in his first game of the season at the home opener vs. Baltimore (9/25), Recorded one tackle in the game.
• Registered his first sack of the season on a third-down play in the third quarter to force a punt at Arizona (12/12). Had three solo tackles in the game. Part of the defensive unit that recorded six sacks, two takeaways, a touchdown and four fourth-down stops.
• Recorded his second sack of the season at Buffalo (1/8) on a third-down play in the second quarter for a 4-yard loss to force a punt.

2021 (7/0, 1/0)

• Went to training camp with Jacksonville and signed with New England to the practice squad on Sept. 5.
• Was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for seven games and the postseason game at Buffalo (1/15).
• Played in his first game as a member of the Patriots vs. N.Y. Jets (10/24) as a reserve on defense and recorded his first sack of the season on the last play of the first half when he sacked QB Mike White for an 8-yard loss.
• Played in his third game with the Patriots at Buffalo (12/6) after being elevated from the practice squad. He tackled Buffalo QB Josh Allen for a 5-yard sack in the second quarter. His first two tackles of the 2021 season resulted in sacks. He sacked New York Jets QB Mike White for an 8-yard loss on the last play of the first half (10/24).
• Elevated to the active roster and played in his first playoff game in the Wild Card Round loss at Buffalo (1/15) recording a tackle in the process.

2020 (9/5 - JACKSONVILLE)

• Went to training camp with Cleveland but was released prior to the start of the season and was signed by Jacksonville to the practice squad and then signed to the 53-man roster.
• Played in nine games with five starts and had 13 tackles and a sack.
• Had his first career sack at Minnesota (12/6).

2019 (7/0 - CLEVELAND)

• Played in seven games and finished with four total tackles before finishing the year on injured reserve.

2018 (0/0 - CLEVELAND)

• Spent the season on the practice squad.

College

• Appeared in 51 games with 22 starts at Washington State and totaled 71 career tackles, 3 sacks and two forced fumbles.
• Played in all 13 games with 12 starts as a senior, recording 17 tackles, 1 sack and a forced fumble.
• Started in nine of 13 games as a junior in 2016, recording a career-high 23 tackles and 1 sack.

Personal

• Given name is Tanielu Ekuale.