Michael Jenkins was signed by the New England Patriots as a free agent on March 28, 2013 … Originally drafted by Atlanta in the first round (29th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft … Released by Atlanta (7/29/11) … Signed by Minnesota Vikings (7/30/11) … Released by Minnesota (3/5/13).
CAREER TRANSACTIONSMichael Jenkins was signed by the New England Patriots as a free agent on March 28, 2013 … Originally drafted by Atlanta in the first round (29th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft … Released by Atlanta (7/29/11) … Signed by Minnesota Vikings (7/30/11) … Released by Minnesota (3/5/13).
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Posted three consecutive seasons with 50-plus receptions from 2007-2009.
- Scored on a 62-yard reception on rookie QB Matt Ryan's first NFL pass in the season opener vs. Detroit (9/7/08).
- Posted a career-high 111 receiving yards on three receptions vs. Green Bay (10/23/11), catching a career-long 72-yard pass on the first play of the game in Christian Ponder's first career start; also added a touchdown.
- Started one postseason game at Green Bay (1/5/13), catching three passes for a playoff career-high 96 yards and his first career playoff touchdown.
SEASONAL REVIEWS 2012 (16/8, 1/1 – Minnesota):
- Appeared in all 16 games, with eight starts, compiling 40 receptions for 449 yards and two touchdowns.
- Started one postseason game at Green Bay (1/5), catching three passes for a playoff career-high 96 yards and his first career playoff touchdown.
- Tallied six receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown in a start at Washington (10/14).
- Accumulated a season-high 78 yards on four receptions in a start vs. Tampa Bay (10/25).
- Caught a touchdown in the season finale vs. Green Bay (12/30).
2011 (11/7 – Minnesota):
- Played in 11 games in seven starts in his first year in Minnesota, catching 38 passes for 466 yards and three touchdowns.
- Caught a touchdown in his first game in a Vikings uniform (9/11).
- Tied a career-high with nine receptions for 88 yards vs. Detroit (9/25).
- Posted a career-high 111 receiving yards on three receptions vs. Green Bay (10/23), catching a career-long 72-yard pass on the first play of the game in Christian Ponder's first career start; also added a touchdown.
2010 (11/9, 1/1 – Atlanta):
- Played in 11 games with nine starts, finishing with 41 receptions for 505 yards and two touchdowns.
- Started one postseason game, registering six catches for 67 yards in a Divisional playoff game vs. Green Bay (1/15).
- Caught five passes for 99 yards at Philadelphia (10/17) in his first game back from an injury that cost him the first five games of the season.
2009 (15/9 – Atlanta):
- Played in 15 games, starting nine and notched his third straight 50-plus reception season, with 50 catches for 635 yards and one touchdown.
- Posted a season-high 82 yards vs. New Orleans (12/13), including a 50-yard touchdown reception.
2008 (16/12, 1/1 – Atlanta):
- Played in all 16 games with 12 starts, recording 50 receptions for a career-high 777 yards and three touchdowns.
- Started one postseason game, a Wild Card game at Arizona (1/3), catching five passes for 51 yards.
- Scored on a 62-yard pass on rookie QB Matt Ryan's first NFL pass in the season opener vs. Detroit (9/7).
- Registered four catches for 58 yards vs. Chicago (10/12), including a 26-yard reception with :01 remaining that led to a game-winning field goal.
- Tied a career-high with two touchdown receptions at Oakland (11/2).
- Posted a season-high 72 receiving yards twice: at New Orleans (12/7) and vs. St. Louis (12/28).
2007 (15/6 – Atlanta):
- Played in 15 games, starting six, catching a career-high 53 passes for 532 yards and four touchdowns.
- Recorded the first multi-touchdown game of his career vs. Houston (9/30), with six catches for 64 yards and two touchdowns.
- Racked up a career-high nine receptions twice: vs. Tampa Bay (11/18) for 73 yards and vs. New Orleans (12/10) for a season-high 83 yards and a touchdown.
2006 (16/16 – Atlanta):
- Started all 16 games and posted a career-high seven touchdowns, along with 49 receptions for 508 yards and one rush for two yards.
- Registered three catches for a season-high 77 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown, in the season opener at Carolina (9/10).
- Had touchdowns in back-to-back games twice: vs. Pittsburgh (10/22) and at Cincinnati (10/29) and vs. Cleveland (11/12) and at Baltimore (11/19).
2005 (14/12 – Atlanta):
- Played in 14 games with 12 starts, compiling 36 catches for 508 yards and three touchdowns.
- Made his first career start vs. Philadelphia (9/12) and led team with 80 yards on three catches, including a season-long 58-yard reception.
- Caught his first career touchdown at Buffalo (9/25), tallying four receptions for 48 yards.
- Recorded five catches for 69 yards and a touchdown vs. Tampa Bay (11/20).
2004 (16/0, 2/0 – Atlanta):
- Played in all 16 games as a rookie, posting seven receptions for 119 yards and one rush for two yards.
- Appeared in two postseason games, catching three passes for 26 yards.
- Made his first NFL reception at Denver (10/31), catching a 46-yard pass.
COLLEGE
- Three-year starter at Ohio State, starting 38 of his last 39 games and caught 165 passes for 2,898 yards (17.6 avg.) and 16 touchdowns.
- Ended his career with 38 straight games with at least one reception.
- Helped lead Ohio State to a National Championship in 2002.
- Finished his career eighth on the Big Ten career receiving yards list and first in Ohio State history with 2,898 yards.
- Earned All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention honors as a senior with a team-leading 55 receptions for 834 yards and seven touchdowns and 178 yards and one touchdown on 20 punt returns.
- Named to the All-Big Ten Conference second-team as a junior, with a career-high 61 receptions for 1,076 yards and six touchdowns.
PERSONAL
- Lettered in football, basketball and track at Leto (Tampa, Fla.) High School.
- Was rated the second-best football prospect in the state by Prep Football Report, seeing action at receiver, running back, safety, cornerback and linebacker.
- Voted Track Athlete of the Year in Tampa as a senior and competed in the 200, 400 and triple jump.
- Married to wife, Toya, with children Chandler, Brendan, Bryce, Chaise and Mason.
