Chris Blair Bio
Christopher Marquinton “CB” Blair (born October 6, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Hinds Community College and for the Alcorn State Braves before entering the 2020 NFL Draft as an undrafted free agent. Blair has also played for the Green Bay Packers and the DC Defenders of the XFL during his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Chris Blair was born on October 6, 1997, in Louisville, Mississippi. He attended Louisville High School in his hometown, where he lettered in both football and basketball. Despite his athletic abilities, Blair was not highly ranked among national wide receiver recruits coming out of high school, which led him to pursue opportunities at the junior college level.
Blair’s journey to major college football began when he committed to Hinds Community College in 2016. The decision to start at the junior college level proved instrumental in developing his skills and catching the attention of four-year programs seeking talented receivers with room for growth.
Path to American Football
At Hinds Community College, Blair developed into a reliable receiving threat over two seasons. During his true freshman year in 2016, he appeared in six games and recorded seven receptions for 46 yards. His sophomore season in 2017 showed marked improvement, as he played in nine games with four starts and caught nine passes for 172 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Blair transferred to Alcorn State University for his junior and senior seasons. In 2018, he played in 13 games with 11 starts and led the team with 43 receptions for 529 receiving yards and six touchdowns. His 2019 season proved exceptional, as he started 12 of 13 games and recorded 44 catches for 931 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Notably, Blair ranked sixth in the nation with 21.2 yards per reception that season, demonstrating his deep-threat capability.
Chris Blair Career
Green Bay Packers (2021–2022)
After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, Chris Blair attended a tryout with the Green Bay Packers on August 30, 2020, but was not signed at that time. He returned for another tryout on January 6, 2021, and was signed to the team on January 8, 2021. Blair spent most of his rookie season on the Packers practice squad after being released during final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad on September 1, 2021. He was released from the practice squad on January 10, 2022, but returned signing a future contract on January 25, 2022. Blair was ultimately released on May 11, 2022, ending his tenure with the organization.
DC Defenders (2023)
Following his time with the Packers, Blair sought opportunities in the XFL. After a tryout with the Indianapolis Colts on August 1, 2022, he signed with the DC Defenders on January 26, 2023. Blair made an immediate impact with his new team, finishing the 2023 XFL season with 25 receptions for 594 receiving yards and three touchdowns. His strong performance in the spring league attracted attention from NFL teams.
Atlanta Falcons (2023–Present)
Chris Blair signed with the Atlanta Falcons on June 18, 2023. He was reverted to injured reserve on August 4 before being waived with an injury settlement on August 14. Blair rejoined the Falcons practice squad on September 27, 2023. He made his NFL debut on November 26, 2023, against the New Orleans Saints. Following the regular season, Blair signed a reserve/future contract with Atlanta on January 10, 2024.
Blair began the 2024 season with the Falcons but was released during final roster cuts on August 27, 2024, before being re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He was promoted to the active roster on December 21, 2024. In his second game on the active roster, Blair recorded his first career NFL reception, a 17-yard catch from quarterback Michael Penix Jr. against the New York Giants on December 22, 2024.
Blair was again waived during final roster cuts on August 26, 2025, and re-signed to the practice squad on August 27. He signed another reserve/future contract with the Falcons on January 5, 2026, continuing his journey with the organization.
Playing Style and Strengths
Chris Blair is a tall wide receiver with the speed and length to stretch the field vertically. His 21.2 yards per reception average during his senior season at Alcorn State highlights his ability to make big plays downfield. Blair’s experience across multiple NFL organizations and his time in the XFL have provided him with valuable versatility and the ability to contribute on special teams and as a depth receiver in the Falcons passing attack.
Chris Blair Career Statistics
Blair has appeared in limited regular-season games throughout his NFL career, with his most significant statistical output coming during his time with the DC Defenders in the XFL. His NFL career statistics reflect his role as a depth receiver.
Professional Career Recap
Blair’s professional journey spans multiple leagues and organizations. His most productive professional season came with the DC Defenders in 2023, where he established himself as a reliable receiving option with 594 receiving yards. In the NFL, Blair has appeared in games with the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons, recording his first career reception in Week 16 of the 2024 season.
| League | Team | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XFL | DC Defenders | 25 | 594 | 3 |
| NFL | Atlanta Falcons | 1 | 17 | 0 |
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season marked another chapter in Chris Blair’s persistence in professional football. After being waived during the Falcons’ final roster cuts on August 26, 2025, Blair was re-signed to the practice squad the following day, demonstrating the organization’s continued interest in his development. His ability to bounce between the active roster and practice squad reflects his value as organizational depth at the wide receiver position.
Blair signed a reserve-future contract with the Falcons on January 5, 2026, securing his place with the team heading into the 2026 season. His journey exemplifies the challenges faced by undrafted players trying to establish themselves in the NFL, requiring continued dedication and performance to earn opportunities.