Punter Shane Tripucka, the grandson of Broncos Ring of Fame quarterback Frank Tripucka, has signed with the XFL’s Los Angeles Wildcats, according to player agent Paul Sheehy.
Tripucka, who went to training camp with the Chargers in 2018, worked out for Denver in December. Tripucka was not among the players the Broncos signed to reserve/future contracts at the end of the 2019 season (the team opted to sign punter Trevor Daniel, adding competition for Colby Wadman).
Tripucka averaged 45.5 yards per punt during his senior year at Texas A&M in 2017. He is replacing Wildcats punter Colton Schmidt, who was placed on the reserve/injured list this week. If he performs well in the XFL, Tripucka might earn another chance to punt in the NFL.
His grandfather, Frank, was the Broncos’ quarterback for their first four seasons in the AFL (1960-63) and he earned AFL All-Star honors in 1960. Frank’s No. 18 jersey is retired — he gave former QB Peyton Manning special permission to wear that number during his time in Denver.
The Wildcats will face the Houston Roughnecks on Saturday, Feb. 8.
