Christopher Marquinton "CB" Blair (born October 6, 1997) is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Hinds Community College and at Alcorn State. He also played for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL) and for the DC Defenders of the XFL.
Early life and high school
Blair grew up in Louisville, Mississippi and attended Louisville High School where he lettered in football and basketball.[1] He was an unranked wide receiver recruit and committed to Hinds Community College.[2]
College career
Hinds CC
During Blair's true freshman season in 2016, he played in six games where he recorded seven receptions for 46 yards.[1]
During the 2017 season, Blair played in nine games while starting four of them. He finished the season by catching nine passes for 172 receiving yards and three touchdowns.[3]
Alcorn State
During the 2018 season, Blair played in 13 games while starting 11 of them. He finished the season by catching 43 passes for 529 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He led the team in receiving yards in 2018.[3]
During the 2019 season, Blair played in 13 games while starting 12 of them. He finished the season by catching 44 passes for 931 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Blair ranked 6th in the nation in yards per reception with 21.2. He also lead the team in receiving yards in 2019.[3]
Professional career
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 1+7⁄8 in (1.88 m) |
198 lb (90 kg) |
31+7⁄8 in (0.81 m) |
8+1⁄2 in (0.22 m) | |||||||||
| All values from Pro Day[4] | ||||||||||||
Green Bay Packers
After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers brought in Blair for a tryout on August 30, 2020.[5] The Packers hosted Blair for another tryout on January 6, 2021, and was signed to the team on January 8, 2021.[6] Blair was released on August 25, 2021[7] but was re-signed to the practice squad on September 1, 2021.[8] Blair was released from the practice squad on January 10, 2022, but later signed to a future contract on January 25, 2022.[9] Blair was released on May 11, 2022.[10]
DC Defenders
After a tryout with the Indianapolis Colts on August 1, 2022,[11] Blair signed with the DC Defenders of the XFL on January 26, 2023.[citation needed] Blair finished the 2023 XFL season with 25 receptions, 594 receiving yards, and three touchdowns.
Blair tried out for the Tennessee Titans after the 2023 season on May 27, 2023.[12]
Atlanta Falcons
On June 18, 2023, Blair was signed by the Atlanta Falcons.[13]
Blair was reverted to an injured reserve on August 4, 2023.[14] He was waived on August 14, 2023, with an injury settlement.[15] He was re-signed on the practice squad on September 27, 2023.[16] He made his NFL debut on November 26, 2023, versus the New Orleans Saints.[17] Following the end of the 2023 regular season, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Falcons on January 10, 2024.[18]
XFL career statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Tgt | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | ||
| 2023 | DC | 10 | 9 | 47 | 26 | 594 | 22.8 | 86 | 3 |
| Career | 10 | 9 | 47 | 26 | 594 | 22.8 | 86 | 3 | |
References
- ^ a b "Chris Blair". atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Blair, Louisville, Wide Receiver". 247sports.com. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Chris Blair – Football". Alcorn State University Athletics. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ "2020 NFL Draft Scout Chris Blair College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
- ^ "Chris Blair Archives". NFLTradeRumors.co. August 1, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ Bouda, Nate (January 8, 2021). "Packers Sign Three To Futures Deals". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ Comeaux, Jonathan (August 25, 2021). "Packers Make Four Moves Including Placing WR Devin Funchess On IR". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ Comeaux, Jonathan (September 1, 2021). "Packers Officially Sign 16 Players To Practice Squad". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ Bouda, Nate (January 25, 2022). "Packers Sign 10 Players To Futures Deals". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Blair Archives". NFLTradeRumors.co. August 1, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ Bouda, Nate (August 1, 2022). "Colts Tried Out Eight Players". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ Perry, Mark (May 27, 2023). "11 More XFL Standouts Receive NFL Training Camp Invites, Total Reaches 66". xflnewshub.com. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ Fappiano, Dan (June 18, 2023). "Falcons sign former XFL, HBCU standout WR Chris Blair". ClutchPoint. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- ^ "Falcons' Chris Blair: Reverts to injured reserve". CBS Sports. August 4, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- ^ Urben, Matt (August 14, 2023). "Falcons waive WRs Frank Darby and Chris Blair". Falcons Wire. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Blair: Headed to Atlanta". CBS Sports. September 27, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- ^ "WR Chris Blair Promoted to Atlanta Falcons Active Roster". www.xfl.com. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ Waack, Terrin (January 10, 2024). "Falcons sign 16 players to reserve/future contracts in 2024". Retrieved January 10, 2024.