The Houston Gamblers released offensive linemen Christian DiLauro and Jaryd Jones-Smith, and defensive back Damon Arnette Jr. on Thursday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Christian DiLauro is six foot six and weighs 300 pounds. The 31-year-old from Uniontown, Ohio, was drafted by the Houston Gamblers in the 2026 UFL Draft.
The Cleveland Browns signed DiLauro as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2018. He also spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders, and Denver Broncos. DiLauro played five career NFL games. DiLauro attended the Minnesota Vikings training camp in 2023.
Then, DiLauro signed with the Birmingham Stallions on September 21, 2023. DiLauro’s played nine games, of which eight were starts. In 2024, Birmingham’s offense ranked first in total yards (3,475), rushing yards (1,347), second in passing yards (2,128), first in yards per game (347.5), and touchdowns (31) as the Stallions won the UFL Championship over the San Antonio Brahmas 25-0.
The Stallions re-signed DiLauro on December 27, 2024. In 2025, DiLauro played nine games, of which seven were starts. Birmingham averaged 24.4 points per game, 221.3 passing yards per game, 4.2 rushing yards per game, 327.1 total yards per game, 26 touchdowns, and allowed 24 sacks, finishing 7-3 for the season, and appearing in the USFL Conference Championship Game against the Michigan Panthers.
Collegiately, DiLauro played four seasons at the University of Illinois (2014-17), playing right tackle in 48 games for the Fighting Illini. In 2015, Illinois’s offense allowed 20 sacks (1.67 per game). In 2017, Illinois averaged 15.42 points per game, 105.6 rushing yards per game, 174.83 passing yards per game, 280.4 total yards per game, and 21 touchdowns, finishing 2-10 for the season.
Jaryd Jones-Smith is six foot seven and weighs 320 pounds. The 30-year-old from Camden, New Jersey, was drafted by the Houston Gamblers in the 2026 UFL Draft.
The Houston Texans signed Jones-Smith as an undrafted free agent on May 11, 2018. He also had stints with the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens.
Jones-Smith played a combined six NFL regular-season games for both the Las Vegas Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens. In addition, Jones-Smith played for the San Antonio Commanders (AAF) in 2019, playing eight games before the league folded.
St. Louis drafted Jones-Smith in the first round (7th pick) in Phase 4 of the 2023 XFL Draft. In 2023, he started eight games and was named to the All-XFL Team after the season. After the season, Jones-Smith signed with the Washington Commanders and was placed on the practice squad.
In 2024, Jones-Smith played ten games. St. Louis’s offense ranked sixth in total offense yards (2,721), third in rushing yards (977), seventh in passing yards (1,744), sixth in yards per game (272.1), and second in touchdowns (30).
The Battlehawks released Jones-Smith on June 17, 2024, and he signed with the Atlanta Falcons on June 20, 2024. He played three preseason games, and the Falcons released him on August 25, 2024.
The Battlehawks re-signed Jones-Smith on December 2, 2024. In 2025, Jones-Smith started nine games. St. Louis averaged 23.1 points per game, 289.8 yards per game, 145.6 passing yards per game, 144.2 rushing yards per game, 23 touchdowns, and allowed 22 sacks, finishing 8-2 for the season. The Battlehawks appeared in the XFL Conference Championship game, where their season ended against the D.C. Defenders.
Collegiately, Jones-Smith played four seasons at the University of Pittsburgh (2014-17), playing 33 games for the Panthers, of which 13 were starts. He was selected to play in the 2018 East-West Shrine Game.
Damon Arnette Jr. is six foot and weighs 195 pounds. The 29-year-old from Dallas, Texas, was drafted by the Houston Gamblers in the 2026 UFL Draft.
The Las Vegas Raiders drafted Arnette Jr. in the first round (19th pick) of the 2020 NFL Draft. Arnette played two seasons in Las Vegas with 25 tackles (21 solos, 4 assists), one tackle for loss, and two pass breakups in nine games, of which seven were starts.
The Raiders released him on November 8, 2021. The Miami Dolphins signed Arnette on December 15, 2021. He spent the remainder of the season on the practice squad and became a free agent after the 2021 season. The Kansas City Chiefs signed Arnette on January 20, 2022. The Chiefs released him on January 29, 2022.
The Houston Roughnecks signed Arnette Jr. on December 30, 2024. In 2025, he made 18 tackles (17 solos, 1 assist), two tackles for loss, one sack, one interception for 51 yards, one touchdown, and five pass breakups in eight games.
The Roughnecks released him on June 18, 2025. He signed with the Houston Texans on June 20, 2025. In 2025, Arnette Jr. made two tackles (2 solos), one interception, and one pass breakup in three preseason games. Arnette Jr. appeared in two regular-season games with three tackles (3 solos). The Texans released him on December 23, 2025.
Collegiately, Arnette Jr. played four seasons at Ohio State (2016-19) with 140 tackles (104 solos, 36 assists), four tackles for loss, five interceptions for 132 yards, one touchdown, 22 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 53 games for the Buckeyes. He was named Second Team All-Big 10 in 2019.
