The Washington Commanders signed kicker Ramiz Ahmed on Tuesday as a possible replacement for Brandon McManus.
The Commanders, who had signed McManus to a one-year, $3.6 million contract in March, released him on Sunday night, several days after the veteran player was accused of sexual assault in a lawsuit.
Ahmed, 28, has played in one NFL game, kicking six kickoffs with three touchbacks for a 61.7-yard average for the Green Bay Packers against the Dallas Cowboys in 2022. He did not attempt an extra point or field goal.
He played in the current United Football League season for the Birmingham Stallions, making 10 of 13 field-goal attempts (76.9 percent) with a long of 46 yards in six games before he was released last week.
NFL teams cannot contact players on UFL playoff teams until their season ends. The Stallions, who activated former Washington kicker Chris Blewitt from injured reserve, play Saturday against the Michigan Panthers in the USFL Conference championship game.
Ahmed made 15 of 20 field-goal attempts and 40 of 44 extra-point attempts for Nevada in 2018 and was not drafted. He signed with the Chicago Bears in 2020 and was released in training camp.
The Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL drafted him in the seventh round in 2022 and he made a league-record 61-yard field goal that season.
McManus and his former team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, are being sued by two women identified as Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II. The lawsuit was filed May 24 in Duval County, where Jacksonville is located.
They allege McManus of rubbing and grinding against them during a team flight to London last fall. Jane Doe I said McManus tried to kiss her and Jane Doe II said McManus “smirked and walked away” after she confronted him about grinding against her.
The women said the Jaguars did not provide a safe environment for staff on the flight.
McManus’ attorney, Brett R. Gallaway, released a statement to news outlets Sunday night that thanked Washington for giving McManus an opportunity with the team.
“However, we reiterate that the allegations against Brandon are and remain absolutely false and importantly, are contradicted by indisputable evidence and the accusers’ own prior inconsistent statements and omissions,” the statement continued.
McManus, 32, spent the first nine years of his 10-year NFL career with the Denver Broncos and signed with the Jaguars in May 2023.
–Field Level Media