Chris Payton-Jones (born August 13, 1995) is an American football cornerback for the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL. He played college football at Nebraska.
College career
Payton-Jones started 26 games for Nebraska over the course of three seasons. As a junior, he had three interceptions, 10 pass breakups and 37 tackles, including three for loss and one sack and was named All-Big Ten honorable mention. Payton-Jones missed the first half of his senior season due to a knee injury.
College statistics
Professional career
Detroit Lions
Payton-Jones signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2018. Payton-Jones failed to make the Lions' 53-man roster at the end of training camp and was waived by the team on September 1, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals
On September 3, 2018, Payton-Jones was signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. Jones was promoted to the Cardinals' active roster on November 20, 2018. Payton-Jones made his NFL debut on November 25, 2018 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He was waived on November 27, 2018 and re-signed to the team's practice squad two days later. He was promoted to the active roster on December 18, 2018.
Payton-Jones made his first career start on September 22, 2019, against the Carolina Panthers. Payton-Jones was waived by the Cardinals on October 9, 2019 and re-signed to the practice squad. On November 8, 2019, Payton-Jones was promoted to the active roster.
On September 5, 2020, Payton-Jones was waived during the final roster cuts. He was re-signed to the practice squad a day later.
Detroit Lions (second stint) On September 16, 2020, Payton-Jones was signed by the Detroit Lions off the Cardinals practice squad. He was waived on October 17. He was re-signed on October 21, but waived again on October 24.
Minnesota Vikings
Payton-Jones was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Vikings on October 26, 2020.
Tennessee Titans
Payton-Jones signed with the Tennessee Titans on April 23, 2021. He was released on September 6, 2021 and re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on November 10, 2021. He was waived on January 4, 2022 and re-signed to the practice squad.
Las Vegas Raiders
Payton-Jones signed as a free agent with the Las Vegas Raiders on June 13, 2022. He was released on August 23, 2022.
Seattle Sea Dragons
On November 17, 2022, Payton-Jones was drafted by the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL.