Steven Sims Jr. Bio
Steven Sims Jr. is an American professional football wide receiver and punt returner for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Kansas and signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2019. His journey through the NFL has included seven different organizations, reflecting both his versatility and the competitive nature of roster decisions at the wide receiver position.
Early Life and Background
Steven Sims Jr. was born on March 31, 1997, in Houston, Texas. He attended Travis High School in nearby Pecan Grove, Texas, where he played football and drew interest from several college programs. A 2-star recruit coming out of high school, Sims chose to commit to Kansas over offers from McNeese State, Prairie View A&M, Southeastern Louisiana, Southern, and Stephen F. Austin.
At the University of Kansas from 2015 to 2018, Sims served as a wide receiver, kick returner, and punt returner for the Kansas Jayhawks. His college experience across multiple phases of the game helped him develop the all-around skill set that would define his professional career. His ability to contribute as both a receiver and return specialist made him a valuable rotational player early in his NFL career.
Path to National Football League
After going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, Sims signed with the Washington Redskins as a free agent on April 30, 2019. As an undrafted player, he entered training camp competing for a roster spot against drafted prospects and veteran free agents. His performance through the preseason earned him a place on the 53-man roster, a significant achievement for a player who had not been selected in any draft round.
His college experience as a return specialist proved immediately valuable at the professional level, as teams often value players who can contribute on special teams while developing on offense. Sims brought that dual-threat capability to Washington and used it to establish himself during his rookie season.
Steven Sims Jr. Career
Early Career (2019-2020)
Steven Sims Jr. made his NFL debut with the Washington Redskins in 2019 and recorded his first career reception, a three-yard gain from quarterback Case Keenum, during a Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He also added three carries for sixteen yards in that same game, demonstrating his early value as a gadget player. In Week 6 against the New England Patriots, he scored his first career touchdown on a 65-yard rushing play.
Sims earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in Week 12 of his rookie season after returning a kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown in a 19-16 victory over the Detroit Lions. In Week 16 against the New York Giants, he caught six passes for 64 yards and two touchdowns during a 41-35 overtime loss. He finished his rookie campaign with 34 receptions for 310 receiving yards and four touchdowns across 16 games. During the 2020 season, he appeared in 12 games and recorded 27 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown, then contributed three catches for 33 yards in his first playoff appearance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Washington Redskins / Football Team Era (2019-2020)
Steven Sims Jr. signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2019. He recorded his first career reception, a three-yard gain from Case Keenum, in a Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. In Week 6 against the New England Patriots, he scored his first career touchdown on a 65-yard rushing play.
He earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in Week 12 after returning a kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown in a 19-16 win over the Detroit Lions. In Week 16 against the New York Giants, he caught six passes for 64 yards and two touchdowns. He finished the 2019 season with 34 receptions for 310 receiving yards and four touchdowns. During the 2020 season, he appeared in 12 games and recorded 27 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown. In his first playoff appearance, he caught three passes for 33 yards and recorded the only Washington receiving touchdown in the Wild Card Playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Washington released him on August 23, 2021.
Buffalo Bills (2021)
Steven Sims Jr. signed with the Buffalo Bills on August 25, 2021. His time with the Bills was brief, as the team released him on August 31 as part of final roster cuts. He did not appear in any regular season games with the Bills.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2021-2022)
Steven Sims Jr. signed with the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 1, 2021, one day after his release from the Bills. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Steelers on January 19, 2022. During the 2022 season, he played in 12 games and recorded 14 receptions for 104 yards and 13 rushing attempts for 70 yards.
Houston Texans Era (2023-2024)
Steven Sims Jr. signed with the Houston Texans on March 24, 2023. He was released on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on January 16, 2024. In the Divisional Round against the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs, he returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown in the 34-10 loss.
He re-signed with the Texans on March 21, 2024, and was released on December 20, 2024. His second stint with Houston provided one of the most memorable moments of his career, a 67-yard punt return touchdown in the 2023 playoffs against the Ravens.
Baltimore Ravens (2024)
The Baltimore Ravens claimed Steven Sims Jr. off waivers on December 23, 2024.
Seattle Seahawks (2025)
Steven Sims Jr. signed with the Seattle Seahawks on March 25, 2025. The Seahawks released him on August 26, 2025, with an injury settlement as part of final roster cuts.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2025-Present)
Steven Sims Jr. signed with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on December 9, 2025. He joined the Cardinals organization following his release from the Seattle Seahawks earlier that year, continuing a pattern of contributing as both a receiver and return specialist across multiple NFL teams. His experience across seven different organizations provides the Cardinals with a veteran presence who understands offensive systems and special teams roles.
Playing Style and Strengths
Steven Sims Jr. brings experience as both a wide receiver and punt returner, skills he honed during his college career at Kansas. His 2,023 career return yards reflect consistent production on special teams across multiple seasons and teams.
Notable Events and Milestones
His most explosive career play came in the 2023 playoffs, when he returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens. That 91-yard kickoff return touchdown earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors during his rookie season with Washington. He has recorded seven total touchdowns in his career, combining receiving touchdowns and return scores across multiple seasons.
Steven Sims Jr. Career Statistics
Steven Sims Jr. has accumulated NFL statistics across seven seasons and multiple teams since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2019. His role as both a pass catcher and return specialist is reflected in his career totals, which span receiving, rushing, and special teams categories. His rookie season with Washington remains his most productive receiving campaign to date.
National Football League Highlights
Steven Sims Jr. has recorded 78 receptions for 704 receiving yards, 2,023 return yards, 174 rushing yards, and 7 total touchdowns in his NFL career. His first career touchdown came on a 65-yard rushing play against the New England Patriots in Week 6 of his rookie season. His most recent NFL receiving action came during his stint with the Seattle Seahawks in 2025.
Other Performances
Sims contributed as a return specialist throughout his career, amassing 2,023 career return yards across kickoff and punt return duties. His 91-yard kickoff return touchdown in 2019 earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week and stands as one of the signature plays of his rookie season. His versatility across receiving, rushing, and return roles has allowed him to sustain an NFL career spanning seven different organizations.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career NFL Totals | 7 | N/A | N/A |
Steven Sims Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
No verified information about family background or racing lineage is available in the sourced materials.
Personal Life
No verified public information about Steven Sims Jr. personal life, including marital status or children, is available in the sourced materials.
2025 Season Performance
Steven Sims Jr. began the 2025 season with the Seattle Seahawks after signing in March. The Seahawks released him on August 26, 2025, with an injury settlement as part of final roster cuts. He joined the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on December 9, 2025, marking his seventh NFL organization since entering the league in 2019.
His availability with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad late in the 2025 season provides an opportunity to contribute on special teams and as depth at the wide receiver position. His experience across multiple offensive systems and familiarity with return schemes makes him a useful practice squad addition as the Cardinals evaluate their roster for the remainder of the season.