Former CFL running back William Stanback worked out for the Washington Football Team on Monday, according to The MMQB senior NFL reporter Albert Breer.
Stanback signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in January. The deal included $100,000 in guaranteed money, however, the team released the 26-year-old on August 23.
Stanback was facing an uphill battle to make the roster in Las Vegas, but that challenge is small compared to the personal tragedy he’s had to endure. Stanback returned to training camp on August 11 after the passing of both his parents: father, William Sr., on July 21 from bladder cancer and mother, Patricia, on July 30 from a heart attack.
Stanback rushed for 1,048 yards — third most in the CFL — and five touchdowns on 6.2 yards per carry with 33 catches for 329 yards in 14 games during the 2019 season. He was named a CFL all-star for his efforts. As a rookie in the three-down league, Stanback rushed 81 times for 539 yards (6.7 yards per carry) and caught 25 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns.
The physical six-foot-three, 233-pound back played for the University of Central Florida rushing 306 times for 1,151 yards and 16 touchdowns plus 27 receptions for 244 yards and three touchdowns in three years with the Knights. Stanback transferred to Virginia Union University for his senior season where he rushed for 1,299 yards and 15 touchdowns.
After going unselected in the 2017 NFL draft, Green Bay inked Stanback to an undrafted free agent contract, but he was released near the end of training camp. The Hempstead, New York native used the CFL as a spring board for another NFL contract.
Washington had two other running backs in for a look — Damarea Crockett and Tyler Gaffney. It appears Stanback will have to win the three-way competition for a contract.