Colts quarterback Jacob Eason, a Lake Stevens High School alum, throws during training camp on Aug. 24, 2020, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Colts quarterback Jacob Eason, a Lake Stevens High School alum, throws during training camp on Aug. 24, 2020, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

4 players with local ties stick on initial NFL rosters

Jacob Eason, Jake Luton, Myles Gaskin and Devante Downs survive NFL’s cutdown day Saturday.

Rookie quarterbacks Jacob Eason and Jake Luton highlight the list of locals who survived Saturday’s NFL cutdown day, as NFL teams trimmed their rosters from 80 to 53 players in advance of next weekend’s season openers.

Snohomish County natives Eason (Indianapolis Colts), Luton (Jacksonville Jaguars), running back Myles Gaskin (Miami Dolphins) and linebacker Devante Downs (New York Giants) all survived Saturday’s cutdown day, making them part of their teams’ initial rosters for the 2020 season.

One county native, cornerback KeiVarae Russell (New York Giants), did not make the final cut.

Last year Gaskin was the only county native to survive cutdown day.

Eason, a graduate of Lake Stevens High School, was selected by the Colts in the fourth round of this year’s draft out of the University of Washington. He was one of three quarterbacks retained by Indianapolis and is expected to spend the season learning as an understudy to veteran Philip Rivers.

Luton, a graduate of Marysville Pilchuck High School, was a sixth-round selection by Jacksonville in this year’s draft. The Herald’s 2019-20 Man of the Year in Sports beat out veterans Mike Glennon and Josh Dobbs to serve as Gardner Minshew’s backup.

Gaskin, a Lynnwood native who attended O’Dea High School, is in his second NFL season. Last year as a rookie he appeared in seven games with the Dolphins, carrying the ball 36 times for 133 yards and a touchdown and catching seven passes for 53 yards. He was one of six running backs kept by Miami.

Downs, a Mountlake Terrace High School graduate, is in his third season. Last season he appeared in two games with the Minnesota Vikings before being released, then was signed by the Giants and appeared in seven games, registering one tackle. He was one of five inside linebackers retained by the Giants, earning a place over Ryan Connelly, who started three games last season before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

Russell, a graduate of Mariner High School, was a late signing during training camp by the Giants. A veteran of three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2016-18, he was not in the league last year. Russell now goes on waivers where he can be claimed by any other team. If he goes unclaimed, he becomes a free agent. In past years Russell would have been ineligible to be signed to a practice squad as he has accrued too much roster time. However, the NFL expanded practice squads from 10 to 16 this season, with six slots available for veterans, so he eligible again.

Surviving Saturday’s cuts does not guarantee a player will be with his team for the opener. Teams that have successful waiver claims will have to make additional cuts.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Rome Odunze scans the field in a scrimmage at his youth football camp at Archbishop Murphy High School on July 10, 2025. The former University of Washington star is entering his second NFL season with the Chicago Bears. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Odunze ‘gives back’ in Everett youth football camp

The former University of Washington star hosts a single-day camp at Archbishop Murphy on Thursday.

The New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, top right, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly ball during the 10th inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in New York. (Justin Casterline / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Yankees walk off Mariners on Judge’s sac fly for series sweep

Seattle blows 5-0 lead after Bryan Woo takes no-hitter into eighth inning.

Raleigh says Munoz tipped pitches during Yankees’ comeback

The Yankees had a bead on Seattle Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz. That’s… Continue reading

Midfielder Christian Soto dribbles up field during Snohomish United's 5-1 win against the Tacoma Stars at Stockers Fields on July 9, 2025 (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Snohomish United keeps playoff hopes alive in home finale

With 5-1 win against Tacoma, the USL2 club’s focus on local talent keys success in inaugural season.

Silvertips forward Carter Bear fields questions after the Detroit Red Wings selected him 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 27, 2025. (Photo courtesy Natalie Shaver / CHL)
Two weeks after Draft, Silvertips’ Bear still can’t believe it

The Red Wings’ first-rounder reflects on draft night and his experience at Detroit’s development camp.

AquaSox down Devils for consecutive wins

The AquaSox were on a 2-10 stretch coming into the series.

Cam Schlittler’s strong debut freezes Mariners

The Mariners fell to the Yankees, 9-6, on Wednesday night.

Storm flies too close to the Sun, loses in an upset

Connecticut snapped a 10-game losing streak to beat Seattle 93-83 on Wednesday morning.

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees flips his bat after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in New York. (Evan Bernstein / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Raleigh, Judge heat up homer race at Yankee Stadium

In the battle of baseball’s biggest sluggers, Aaron Judge… Continue reading

Seattle Seahawks linebackers Derick Hall (58) and Boye Mafe (53) celebrate a defensive play during the 2024 season. (Rio Giancarlo / Getty Images / The Athletic)
Season to reveal long-term plans for Seahawks linebackers

The Seattle Seahawks selected edge rusher Boye Mafe with… Continue reading

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.