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Sam Kamara
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Sam Kamara (born December 21, 1997) is an American professional football defensive end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Kamara played college football for the Stony Brook Seawolves.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Kamara was raised in Carteret, New Jersey. He attended Carteret High School, where he played on both sides of the ball, also scoring seven touchdowns as the team's fullback.[1] Kamara earned first-team All-Conference honors as well as the Mini Max award, a New Jersey accolade based on performance, academic achievement and community service.[2] His head coach compared him favorably to fellow Carteret standout Jason Worilds, a second-round draft pick from Virginia Tech in 2010. Although Kamara earned FCS offers from colleges including Maine, Monmouth and Stony Brook, the only FBS school to show interest in him was Pittsburgh.[3]
College career
[edit]Kamara played in eight games in his freshman season in 2016, making three starts. His first career start came on October 29, 2016, against New Hampshire, where he became the first true freshman to start a game for Stony Brook in the season.[4] In his sophomore season, Kamara started all thirteen games at defensive end, recording 31 tackles and a sack.
Kamara led the team with nine sacks in his 2018 junior season, also recording 42 tackles with 11.5 for loss. He set a collegiate career high with seven tackles against Air Force, and also recorded six tackles and 2.5 sacks against Southeast Missouri State in the first round of the FCS playoffs.[5] He was named second-team All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) after the season.[6] Before his senior season, Kamara was named one of three team captains by head coach Chuck Priore and saw his name floated as a potential NFL draft pick, with NFLPA scouting director Dane Vandernat declaring that Kamara "possesses all the physical attributes that pro scouts require."[7][8] However, he played only five games before suffering a shoulder injury and missing the rest of the season.[9] Kamara was granted a waiver by the NCAA to return for a fifth year in 2020, but the season was postponed to the spring as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[10][11] In the shortened spring season, Kamara recorded 12 tackles and two sacks in three games, earning first-team All-CAA honors as a defensive lineman.[12]
College statistics
[edit]| Year | Team | GP | Defense | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tackles | For Loss | Sacks | Int | FF | |||
| 2016 | Stony Brook | 8 | 9 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | Stony Brook | 13 | 31 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | Stony Brook | 12 | 42 | 11.5 | 9.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | Stony Brook | 5 | 16 | 4.5 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | Stony Brook | 3 | 12 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 0 | 2 |
| College totals | 41 | 110 | 24.0 | 15.0 | 0 | 2 | |
Professional career
[edit]| Height | Weight | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
275 lb (125 kg) | |||||||||||
| Values from Pro Day[13] | ||||||||||||
Chicago Bears
[edit]Kamara signed with the Chicago Bears following the 2021 NFL draft as an undrafted free agent.[14] Designated as the fourth-string linebacker in the team's first depth chart, Kamara made his preseason debut on August 14, 2021, against the Miami Dolphins.[15][16] He ended preseason with six tackles, three quarterback hits and a sack.[17] He was waived on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[18][19] Kamara was promoted to the active roster on October 12 due to a season ending injury to teammate Jeremiah Attaochu.[20]
Kamara made his NFL debut on October 17 against the Green Bay Packers and recorded his first tackle on Aaron Jones.[21][22] He was waived by the team on November 3 and re-signed to the practice squad.[23] He was flexed to the active roster ahead of the Bears' Monday Night Football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and recorded two tackles in his first multi-tackle game.[24] Kamara was flexed to the active roster for the Bears' Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions, where he was Chicago's third-highest graded defensive player before exiting the game with a concussion.[25] Kamara was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on December 14.[26] He was signed to the active roster on December 23.[27] He recorded a career-high three tackles against the New York Giants on January 2.[28] Kamara had his first tackle for loss and pass deflection on January 9 against the Minnesota Vikings.[29] He ended his rookie season playing eight games, recording 10 tackles with one tackle-for-loss, and one pass deflection.[30]
On August 30, 2022, Kamara was waived by the Bears and signed to the practice squad the next day.[31][32] He was released on September 9.[33]
Cleveland Browns
[edit]On October 4, 2022, Kamara was signed to the Cleveland Browns practice squad.[34] He played in one game in the 2022 season, Week 18 against the Steelers.[35] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023.[36]
On August 29, 2023, Kamara was waived by the Browns and re-signed to the practice squad.[37][38] He was signed to the active roster on December 12.[39] Kamara was released on December 29 and re-signed to the practice squad on January 2, 2024.[40][41] Kamara was signed to the active roster on January 5.[42] Kamara recorded seven tackles in the season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals.[43]
On August 27, 2024, Kamara was waived by the Browns and re-signed to the practice squad.[44][45] He was promoted to the active roster on September 11.[46] He was waived on October 8,[47] and signed to the practice squad the next day.[48] He was promoted back to the active roster on November 16.[49] In Week 18, Kamara led the Browns with six tackles against the Baltimore Ravens. He ended the season with 15 tackles.[50]
On August 26, 2025, Kamara was released by the Browns as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[51][52]
NFL career statistics
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Comb | Solo | Ast | Sack | TFL | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | ||
| 2021 | CHI | 8 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | CLE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | CLE | 2 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | CLE | 11 | 1 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 22 | 1 | 32 | 21 | 11 | 0.0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
References
[edit]- ^ "Sam Kamara - Football". Stony Brook University Athletics. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ Peraino, Chris (February 5, 2016). "Football adds to roster on Signing Day". The Statesman. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ Tufaro, Greg (December 13, 2015). "Pitt football continues to mine Middlesex County; offers Carteret's Kamara a visit". MyCentralJersey.com. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ "Stony Brook falls at New Hampshire". Stony Brook University Athletics. October 29, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ "Stony Brook Falls at Air Force in Season Opener". Stony Brook University Athletics. September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ "Infantino's Boone Award leads 11 Seawolves to be Honored by CAA Football". Stony Brook University Athletics. November 20, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ "Priore Names White, Heslop and Kamara as 2019 Team Captains". Stony Brook University Athletics. November 26, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ "Sam Kamara - Stony Brook Seawolves - news and analysis, statistics, game logs, depth charts, contracts, injuries". www.nbcsportsedge.com. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ Tam, Ethan (September 18, 2020). "Sam Kamara's fifth season to play out differently than planned". The Statesman. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ "Happy New Year, Indeed! Lineman Sam Kamara to Remain with Football Team in 2020". Stony Brook University Athletics. December 31, 2019. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ Kensing, Kyle (February 25, 2021). "Stony Brook's Sam Kamara Is Back & He's Ready To Wreak Havoc". FloFootball. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ "CAA Football Honors Four Seawolves with All-Conference Honors". Stony Brook University Athletics. April 21, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ "Sam Kamara, Stony Brook, DT, 2021 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
- ^ Borden, Marcus (May 22, 2021). "Football: Carteret's Kamara signs with Bears as undrafted free agent". MyCentralJersey.com. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ Mayer, Larry (August 10, 2021). "Bears announce first unofficial depth chart". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
- ^ "Sam Kamara (DE): Bio, News, Stats & more". www.chicagobears.com. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
- ^ "Football Alumnus Sam Kamara to Join Chicago Bears 53-Man Roster". Stony Brook University Athletics. October 13, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ Mayer, Larry (August 31, 2021). "Roster Moves: Bears announce 53-man roster". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
- ^ Mayer, Larry (September 1, 2021). "Roster Moves: Bears sign 13 players to practice squad". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
- ^ Mishler-Elmore, Beth (October 13, 2021). "Bears Sign LB, Promote Another to Active Roster Amid Injury Issues". Heavy.com. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
- ^ Tam, Ethan (October 19, 2021). "Stony Brook's Sam Kamara records first tackle in NFL debut with Chicago Bears". The Statesman. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ Esposito, Nick (October 18, 2021). "Stony Brook's Sam Kamara records first career tackle in NFL". Greater Long Island. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ @BearsPR (November 3, 2021). "#Bears roster moves: We have waived LB Sam Kamara. We also have signed LB Cassius Marsh to the practice squad and have released RB Chris Thompson from the PS" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Bears vs. Steelers - Box Score - November 8, 2021 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ Barbieri, Alyssa (November 27, 2021). "Bears injury updates on Justin Fields, Roquan Smith, Marquise Goodwin after Week 12". Bears Wire. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ^ Finley, Patrick (December 14, 2021). "Bears add 3 more to reserve/COVID-19 list". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
- ^ Barbieri, Alyssa (December 23, 2021). "Bears announce several roster moves ahead of Sunday's game vs. Seahawks". Bears Wire. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
- ^ Fishbain, Kevin (January 3, 2022). "Matt Nagy's bag of tricks, Justin Fields' availability for Week 18: Bears Monday Rewind". The Athletic. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
- ^ Kane, Colleen (January 9, 2022). "Week 18 recap: Chicago Bears finish their season 6-11 after collapsing in a 31-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
- ^ "Sam Kamara 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
- ^ Mayer, Larry (August 30, 2022). "Roster Moves: Bears reach NFL's 53-man roster limit". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
- ^ Mayer, Larry (August 31, 2022). "Roster Moves: Bears place 14 on practice squad". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
- ^ Luce, Ron (September 9, 2022). "Chicago Bears Release Pair of Defensive Linemen". On Tap Sports Net. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
- ^ "Browns place RB Jerome Ford on injured reserve". ClevelandBrowns.com. October 4, 2022. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ "Sam Kamara 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
- ^ "Browns sign 10 players to reserve/futures contracts". ClevelandBrowns.com. January 9, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
- ^ "Browns reduce roster to 53". ClevelandBrowns.com. August 29, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
- ^ "Browns claim CB Kahlef Hailassie and add 15 to practice squad". ClevelandBrowns.com. August 30, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
- ^ Kinnan, Cory (December 12, 2023). "Browns sign DE Sam Kamara, not Joe Flacco to active roster". Browns Wire. USA Today. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ Comeaux, Jonathan (December 29, 2023). "Browns Waive DE Sam Kamara". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
- ^ "Browns sign DE Sam Kamara to the practice squad". Cleveland Browns. January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ^ "Browns place LB Anthony Walker Jr. on injured reserve". Cleveland Browns. January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ Greetham, Fred (January 7, 2024). "Cleveland Browns to Play the Houston Texans after Reserves Drop 31-14 Finale to the Cincinnati Bengals". 247Sports. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ Russo, Kelsey (August 27, 2024). "Browns announce initial 53-man roster heading into 2024 season". ClevelandBrowns.com. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
- ^ "Browns sign 13 players to the practice squad". ClevelandBrowns.com. August 28, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
- ^ "Browns place DT Maurice Hurst II and three others on injured reserve". ClevelandBrowns.com. September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
- ^ "Browns waive Javion Cohen, Sam Kamara and Blake Whiteheart". ClevelandBrowns.com. October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
- ^ "Browns sign CB Tony Brown II". ClevelandBrowns.com. October 10, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
- ^ "Browns sign DT Sam Kamara and DE Elerson Smith to active roster". ClevelandBrowns.com. November 16, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ Shuck, Barry (January 4, 2025). "Week 18 Brownies & Frownies as Ravens dominate Browns 35-10". Dawgs By Nature. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- ^ Russo, Kelsey. "Browns announce initial 53-man roster heading into 2025 season". clevelandbrowns.com. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
- ^ "Browns awarded 2 players via waivers, sign 9 to practice squad". clevelandbrowns.com. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from NFL.com · ESPN · Yahoo Sports
- Cleveland Browns bio
- Stony Brook Seawolves bio
Sam Kamara
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Upbringing in New Jersey
Sam Kamara was born on December 21, 1997, in Carteret, New Jersey.[4][5][6] Kamara grew up in Carteret, a working-class industrial borough in Middlesex County characterized by its dense suburban environment and diverse immigrant population.[7][8] Little is known publicly about his family.[5] This early environment in New Jersey's working-class suburbs set the stage for his personal growth leading into high school.High school career
Sam Kamara attended Carteret High School in Carteret, New Jersey, where he grew up.[2] As a two-way player, he lined up as a fullback on offense and defensive end on defense for the Ramblers over three seasons under head coach Matt Yascko.[2][9] During his high school career, Kamara contributed significantly to the team's efforts, recording seven touchdowns as a fullback.[2] He earned first-team All-Conference honors for his performance and received the 2015 Mini Max Award from the Maxwell Football Club, recognizing excellence in athletics, academics, and community involvement.[10] Yascko motivated Kamara by comparing him to Jason Worilds, a former Carteret standout and second-round NFL draft pick, noting Kamara's potential while acknowledging Worilds' established success.[11]College career
Seasons at Stony Brook
Kamara arrived at Stony Brook University in 2016 as a freshman defensive lineman and appeared in eight games, making three starts against New Hampshire, William & Mary, and Maine, where he recorded nine total tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss while adjusting to the college level.[2] In 2017, Kamara emerged as a full-time starter, playing all 13 games at defensive end and tallying 31 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and one sack, including a career-high five tackles against South Florida.[2] He built on this momentum in 2018, starting all 12 games and earning second-team All-CAA honors after leading the team with nine sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss, highlighted by 2.5 sacks against Southeast Missouri State in a CAA contest and seven tackles in the season opener at Air Force.[2] Kamara's 2019 season ended prematurely after starting the first five games, where he contributed at least four tackles per outing, including two sacks against Rhode Island in a 31-27 victory; he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during that game on September 28, underwent surgery, and focused on recovery, which delayed his return.[12][2] The NCAA granted him a medical hardship waiver and an extra year of eligibility, allowing a fifth season.[12] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CAA postponed its 2020 fall schedule to spring 2021, where Kamara made a strong return in an abbreviated four-game slate, assuming a leadership role on the defensive line and earning first-team All-CAA recognition before declaring for the NFL Draft.[13] Over his five seasons, he appeared in 41 games as the primary defensive end.[13] Following the spring campaign, Kamara went undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft but participated in pre-draft workouts, leading to his signing as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears.[14]Awards and honors
During his junior year in 2018, Kamara earned second-team All-CAA honors as a defensive lineman, recognizing his standout performance that included a team-leading nine sacks and 42 total tackles.[2][15] This accolade highlighted his disruptive presence on Stony Brook's defensive line within the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), a key FCS conference, and underscored his development as a pass rusher.[16] In 2020, as a senior, Kamara was selected to the first-team All-CAA defense, voted by league coaches for his leadership and contributions in the spring season.[2][17] He was also named to the preseason second-team All-CAA by Phil Steele.[2] This honor, the highest individual recognition he received at the conference level, affirmed his role as a cornerstone of Stony Brook's defense and elevated his visibility among NFL scouts.[18] These CAA accolades, particularly the first-team selection in a competitive conference, bolstered Kamara's professional profile by showcasing his consistent productivity and versatility as an FCS standout.[18][19]Professional career
Chicago Bears
Kamara signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent on May 14, 2021, following the 2020 NFL Draft, providing an opportunity for the Stony Brook standout to transition to professional football.[20] He participated in all three preseason games, recording six tackles (four solo), three quarterback hits, and one sack while transitioning to a rotational defensive end role in the Bears' 4-3 defensive scheme.[21][22] Despite his contributions, Kamara was waived on August 31, 2021, and signed to the team's practice squad the following day.[23][24] Throughout the 2021 regular season, Kamara was elevated from the practice squad multiple times, including a promotion to the active roster on October 13.[21] He made his NFL debut on October 17, 2021, against the Green Bay Packers, where he recorded his first career tackle on running back Aaron Jones.[25] In eight games that season, Kamara saw limited snaps primarily as a rotational player, totaling 10 tackles (seven solo) and one pass deflection.[26] He was waived again on November 3, re-signed to the practice squad the next day, and later promoted to the active roster on December 22.[27][24] Entering the 2022 offseason, Kamara remained with the Bears and appeared in all three preseason games, registering five tackles (four solo).[28] However, he was waived on September 9, 2022, prior to the regular season, paving the way for his subsequent move to the Cleveland Browns.[29]Cleveland Browns
Kamara joined the Cleveland Browns' practice squad on October 4, 2022, following his release from the Chicago Bears.[3] He experienced frequent elevations to the active roster during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, contributing to the team's defensive line depth while primarily serving in a reserve capacity.[30] Over these years, Kamara appeared in a total of three games for the Browns, focusing on rotational snaps to support the front seven.[1] In the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Kamara established himself in a more consistent rotational role, appearing in 13 games combined and providing valuable depth along the defensive line.[30] His 2024 campaign marked a career high, with 15 tackles recorded across 11 appearances, including his first career start at defensive tackle against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 of the 2024 season on January 4, 2025, where he recorded six tackles, along with key contributions in pass rush and run defense during the Browns' regular season push.[31][1] Throughout this period, he cycled between the practice squad and active roster, often elevated for specific matchups to bolster the team's edge rotation.[3] After being released on August 26, 2025, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day, Kamara was elevated from the practice squad on October 25, 2025, for Week 8, appearing in one game in the 2025 season with no tackles recorded.[32][23] As of November 2025, Kamara remains on the practice squad, providing depth for the Browns' defensive line.[33][1]Career statistics
College statistics
Kamara appeared in 41 games over his Stony Brook career from 2016 to 2020, accumulating 110 total tackles, 24 tackles for loss, and 15 sacks.[2][3] The following table summarizes his defensive statistics by season:| Year | Games Played | Total Tackles | Tackles for Loss | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 8 | 9 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| 2017 | 13 | 31 | 4.5 | 1.0 |
| 2018 | 12 | 42 | 11.5 | 9.0 |
| 2019 | 5 | 16 | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| 2020 | 3 | 12 | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| Career | 41 | 110 | 24.0 | 15.0 |
NFL statistics
Sam Kamara has appeared in 23 regular season games over his NFL career from 2021 to 2025, accumulating 32 total tackles (21 solo, 11 assisted), 0 sacks, 1 pass deflection, and 3 tackles for loss, with no postseason appearances as of November 13, 2025.[1][26]| Year | Team | Games (G) | Starts (GS) | Total Tackles | Solo | Assisted | Sacks | Pass Deflections | Tackles for Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | CHI | 8 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | CLE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | CLE | 2 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | CLE | 11 | 1 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 | CLE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career Totals | 23 | 1 | 32 | 21 | 11 | 0.0 | 1 | 3 |