The D.C. Defenders released wide receiver Jalen Virgil, offensive linemen Elijah Ellis and Silas Dzansi, and defensive back Lewis Cine on Saturday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Jalen Virgil is six foot and weighs 210 pounds. The 27-year-old from Lawrenceville, Georgia, was drafted by the D.C. Defenders in the 2026 UFL Draft.
The Denver Broncos signed Virgil as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. In 2022, he made two catches for 75 yards, one touchdown, and five tackles (4 solos, 1 assist) in nine games. In 2023, he made one catch for 50 yards and one carry for 25 yards in two preseason games before suffering a knee injury. In 2024, Virgil made one catch for 13 yards and three kick returns for 88 yards in three preseason games. The Broncos released him on August 27, 2024.
The Buffalo Bills signed Virgil to the practice squad on August 29, 2024. Virgil appeared in seven games. In 2025, he made one tackle (1 solo) in one preseason game. The Bills released him on August 22, 2025. The Arizona Cardinals signed Virgil to the practice squad on November 12, 2025. They released him on November 19, 2025.
Collegiately, Virgil spent five seasons at Appalachian State University (2017-21) with 98 catches for 1,436 yards, 11 touchdowns, 16 carries for 55 yards, one rushing touchdown, 37 kick returns for 1,142 yards, three touchdowns, and three tackles (3 solos) in 61 games for the Mountaineers. He was named Second Team All-Sun Belt in 2021 and Third Team All-Sun Belt in 2020.
Elijah Ellis is six foot four and weighs 336 pounds. A native of Paris, Texas, Ellis signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent on June 17, 2025. They released him on July 26, 2025. The D.C. Defenders drafted Ellis in the 2026 UFL Draft.
Collegiately, Ellis spent four seasons at Baylor (2019-23), playing nine games on the offensive line for the Bears. Then, he transferred to Marshall in 2024, starting 13 games at left tackle for the Thundering Herd. Marshall averaged 31.9 points per game, 382.8 yards per game, 181.1 passing yards per game, 201.7 rushing yards per game, and 51 touchdowns to finish 10-3 for the season.
Silas Dzansi is six foot five and weighs 335 pounds. The 27-year-old from Woodbridge, Virginia, was drafted by the D.C. Defenders in the 2026 UFL Draft.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Dzansi as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. In 2023, he played in three preseason games. He would spend the season on and off the practice squad. The Buccaneers re-signed him on January 23, 2024. However, a knee injury prevented him from playing in 2024 and 2025. The Buccaneers released him on August 4, 2025.
Collegiately, Dzansi spent six seasons at Virginia Tech (2017-22), playing right guard, right tackle, left guard, and left tackle in 50 games, of which 34 were starts for the Hokies. In 2022, he started 10 games at left tackle. Virginia Tech averaged 313.5 yards per game, 203.3 passing yards per game, 110.2 rushing yards per game, and 27 touchdowns.
Lewis Cine is six foot two and weighs 199 pounds. The 26-year-old from Cedar Hills, Texas, was drafted by the D.C. Defenders in the 2026 UFL Draft.
The Minnesota Vikings drafted Cine in the first round (32nd pick) of the 2022 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons in Minnesota with one tackle (1 solo) in 10 games. In 2024, he made 16 tackles (8 solos, 8 assists), one sack, one interception, and one pass breakup in three preseason games. The Vikings released him on August 27, 2024.
The Buffalo Bills signed Cine to the practice squad on August 29, 2024. Cine appeared in one game. He would spend the rest of the season on the practice squad. The Philadelphia Eagles signed Cine off of Buffalo’s practice squad on January 8, 2025. In 2025, he made two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist), one interception, and one pass breakup in two preseason games. The Eagles released him on September 15, 2025.
Collegiately, Cine spent three seasons at Georgia (2019-21) with 145 tackles (96 solos, 49 assists), 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions for 23 yards, and 16 pass breakups in 39 games for the Bulldogs. He won a CFP National Championship at Georgia in 2021.
Cine was named First Team All-SEC, CFP National Championship Game Defensive MVP, and Third Team All-American by the Associated Press. Cine was also a semifinalist for the 2021 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive back.
