Darius Rush has not done much up to this point in his NFL career. A fifth-round selection of the Indianapolis Colts, Rush profiled with elite athletic measurables coming into the 2023 NFL Draft but so far has limited production at the professional level.
| Def Interceptions | Fumbles | Tackles | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Age | Team | Lg | Pos | G | GS | Int | Yds | IntTD | Lng | PD | FF | Fmb | FR | Yds | FRTD | Sk | Comb | Solo | Ast | TFL | QBHits | Sfty | AV | Awards |
| 2023 | 23 | PIT | NFL | CB | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 24 | PIT | NFL | CB | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 25 | WAS | NFL | CB | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 Yrs | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| 17 Game Avg | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| PIT (2 Yrs) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| WAS (1 Yr) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
However, as a converted wide receiver, Rush was
incredibly raw as a defensive back in college and only played in 43 games at South Carolina, starting 21 over the course of four seasons with the Gamecocks. After being selected by the Colts, he was waived and cycled through the Chiefs (twice), Steelers, and Browns.
Rush’s first NFL snaps didn’t come until November of his rookie season. He performed fairly well while logging 39 defensive snaps over two games. Unfortunately, he was relegated to strictly special teams work by Pittsburgh in 2024, before being released at final roster cuts in August 2025.
He was signed to the Commanders’ practice squad and spent the majority of the season there, until he was elevated to the active roster in Week 15 versus the New York Giants. While Rush failed to record any stats, he did play on special teams. The team quietly signed him to a reserve/future contract in January 2026. While none of this may excite you, consider the following in comparison to Fabian Moreau and Antonio Hamilton Sr., who are 32 and 33 years old, respectively, and are popularly being included on current projections for the Washington Commanders’ initial 53-man roster. Rush is 26 years old and a self-described “special teams demon.”
Commanders special teams coordinator Larry Izzo loves speed on his special teams units, and Rush’s 4.36 40-yard dash is a perfect match. Rush cut his teeth at South Carolina as a contributor on teams and was the primary gunner, recording 74 tackles over four seasons. This summer, Rush has focused his efforts there and caught the attention of analysts and reporters, first in training camp and then in both preseason games.
Rush had four tackles in the 17-13 loss at Detroit as well a some nice moments in coverage. He also shined in offseason-program activities, with a pick-six off of Athan Kaliakmanis to close out minicamp. The cornerback is still developing in coverage but profiles as a good fit in a zone scheme while having some skills in man coverage, bringing the versatility coordinator Daronte Jones covets.
In his Tuesday presser, head coach Dan Quinn talked about the importance of special teams for the Commanders, calling them “critical” to roster decisions. The retirement of Nick Bellore this summer, and elevation of Jeremy Reaves and Tyler Owens to more prominent defensive roles, means there is an opening for a special teams ace on the roster.
Rush has been stating his case for the role, but will need a strong final preseason game to secure a spot. He will be one to watch in Friday’s game versus the Baltimore Ravens. If Rush can put together another good performance, he should be a player fans consider when making their final roster projections before Sunday’s 6 p.m. ET deadline.
