Category: Bama in NFL

Baltimore Ravens waive former Alabama DB Eddie Jackson

Former Alabama DB waived by Baltimore Ravens.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide DB Eddie Jackson’s stint with the Baltimore Ravens didn’t last long. He was waived today after playing just 11 games with Baltimore after signing a one-year $1.5 million deal in July.

Jackson didn’t see a massive role in 2024, with just five appearances and two starts for nine total tackles. The Former Alabama standout spent the first seven years of his career in Chicago, where he was a two-time Pro Bowler and a First-Team All-Pro in 2019. He was also named one of the 100 greatest Bears of all time.

There will certainly be a team out there interested in Jackson’s services, with the playoffs starting in just a few weeks The Ravens could always sign him to the practice squad, but I’d imagine Jackson wants an opportunity to see the field.

The Ravens will take on the Charges on Monday Night Football this week.

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ESPN projects Ravens RB Derrick Henry to win NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award

Derrick Henry named Offensive Player of the Year by ESPN’s midseason awards.

We are halfway through the 2024 season, and the more things change, the more they seem to stay the same as Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick Henry continues to obliterate NFL defenses.

Through 10 games this season, Henry has carried the rock 184 times for 1,120 yards, which is good for a staggering 6.08 yards per carry. The former ‘Bama bruiser has also found the endzone in each of his first ten games after coming over from Tennessee this off-season. Baltimore currently stands alone atop the AFC North standings and Henry feels like he may be that missing piece to help get Lamar and Harbaugh past Patrick Mahomes in the postseason.

With nine more weeks left in the NFL regular season, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell hands out his midseason awards picks: Best players, rookies, coaches. Barnwell projects Baltimore’s new feature back to be named as the NFL Offensive Player of the Year saying, 

“As it stands, Baltimore has found an excellent balance of relying on Henry in key moments and letting him rest his legs, which has certainly helped after years of massive workloads in Tennessee. He has played only 55% of the offensive snaps this season, which makes it even more preposterous that he’s leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage.

If Henry can keep this up, it will be one of the greatest running back seasons we’ve ever seen. Another Offensive Player of the Year award would put Henry into rarefied company; every player who has won at least two OPOY awards is either already in the Hall of Fame or is a lock to make it once he’s eligible.”

Barnwell also expects Henry’s backfield mate, Jackson, to bring home his third MVP award.

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Green Bay Packers’ Xavier McKinney named NFC Defensive Player of the Month

Former Alabama safety Xavier McKinney named Defensive Player of the Month in the NFC.

The Green Bay Packers quietly landed one of the best free agents this off-season in former Alabama Crimson Tide Safety Xavier McKinney. McKinney spent the first four years of his professional career with the New York Giants after being selected No. 36 overall in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Over his four years with the Giants, McKinney was incredibly productive and was just one of two defenders in 2023 not to miss a snap all season, so losing him this off-season was a massive blow. The Packers signed him to a four-year $67 million deal this off-season, and so far, they have gotten their money’s worth.

McKinney has continued to ball out as he was just recognized as the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Month for October. Through eight games, McKinney has posted a staggering 36 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery and six interceptions and appears to be on his way to a Pro Bowl selection.

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Houston Texans’ Will Anderson named AFC Defensive Player of the Month

Former Alabama LB Will Anderson Jr. named Defensive Player of the Month in the AFC.

DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans’ decision to trade back up to the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft to select former Alabama LB Will Anderson gets better each week. Anderson has been a wrecking force since he got to the league a season ago and was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year for 2023.

So far, Anderson has picked up right where he left off last year with 27 total tackles, 7.5 sacks and one fumble recovery through nine games. As a result, Anderson was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for October. Ryans, an Alabama alum as well, has been the perfect defensive mentor for Anderson and it appears as if the two will be together in Houston for some time.

When people want to discuss who the best defensive player of the Nick Saban era was at Alabama, Anderson has certainly made an impressive case for himself. The former two-time Nagurski winner and two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year is looking at a Pro Bowl selection and maybe even All-Pro consideration if he continues to play at this level.

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Alabama featured heavily among NFL stat leaders though Week 8

Alabama has multiple league leaders through the NFL’s first eight weeks.

With the 2024 NFL season now through Week 8, the Alabama Crimson Tide have been represented well at the professional level so far this year.

In fact, when taking a look at the stat leaders across the league through eight weeks alone, then this thought becomes even more clear at just how good some Alabama players in the NFL have been so far this season.

Starting with passing, this might be Alabama’s weakest statistical category, as no former Crimson Tide player ranks within the Top 10. No school has more than one quarterback in the NFL’s Top 10 leading passers currently as well.

Alabama also does not have a wide receiver in the Top 10 of receiving yards, as well as a defender among the same in total tackles.

As for rushing, Alabama has the NFL’s leading rusher by far in Baltimore Ravens star Derrick Henry at 946 yards through eight games, as well as the No. 4 name on that list in Green Bay Packers standout Josh Jacobs. Both of Najee Harris and Jahmyr Gibbs sit at No. 6-7 as well, meaning that Alabama has four of the Top 10, the most of any program.

Alabama also has one of the NFL’s sack leaders in Will Anderson Jr. of the Houston Texans, who is tied for third in the league with 7.5 so far this year. The Crimson Tide also have one player in the Top 10 in field goals made in Will Reichard with 14 where he is tied for ninth.

Lastly, Alabama features heavily in the league’s interception leaders similar to the rushing list, placing four within the Top 10 headlined by the NFL’s INT leader in Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney with six. Marlon Humphrey and Brian Branch are tied for third in the NFL with four total, while Pat Surtain II is tied for fifth with three.

Will names such as Henry and McKinney end up leading the NFL in those respective stats later this season, and will any other Alabama players join them?

Former star Alabama offensive tackle traded to different NFL team

The former Alabama standout is on the move.

Since being drafted into the league back in 2017, former Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Cam Robinson has spent his entire NFL career as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars organization.

Well, Robinson is now reportedly on the move for the first time in his NFL career, as the veteran offensive tackle was traded to the Minnesota Vikings from Jacksonville on Tuesday night.

A former second round pick by Jacksonville in the 2017 NFL draft, Robinson has started a combined 91 games at left tackle for the Jaguars since. Over that span, Robinson has also started double-digit games in five of his eight years in the league.

Prior to his time in the NFL, Robinson was a three-year starter at left tackle for Alabama from 2014-16, winning one national championship during his time with the program. Over that span, Robinson received numerous honors on both a SEC and national level, and left Tuscaloosa as one of the greatest offensive tackles to play at Alabama under Nick Saban.

Robinson now joins Dallas Turner and Will Reichard as former Alabama players who are now on the Vikings.

Two former Alabama QBs expected to return to NFL starting lineups this week

Tua Tagovailoa and Bryce Young both expected to start this week.

So far, the 2024 NFL season has been a struggle for former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterbacks. Tua Tagovailoa suffered a brutal Week 2 concussion, Bryce Young was benched after Week 2, Jalen Hurts has struggled quite a bit and Mac Jones is in a backup role on a 2-5 Jacksonville team.

However, things are starting to turn around for Tagovailoa and Young, who are both expected to return to their starting lineups this week.

Tagovailoa completed the NFL’s concussion protocol on Friday, and neurological experts have told him he’s not risking further damage by playing. The Dolphins are in dire need of his return as they are 1-3 without him this year. Miami hosts the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

As for Young, he returns to the lineup due to an injury Andy Dalton suffered in a car accident. With the Panthers firmly out of the Playoff race, it makes all of the sense in the world to give Young the reins and let him learn in the fire. Carolina travels out West to take on the Broncos this weekend.

Who knows, the way things are going for the Jaguars, Jones may get a chance before the season is over.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Former Alabama WR Jameson Williams facing two-game suspension by the NFL

Former Alabama, Detroit Lions WR Jameson Williams is facing a two-game suspension.

When Detroit Lions’ former No. 12 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft Jameson Williams is on the field, he’s as good of a playmaker as anyone in the league. Unfortunately, his career has been plagued with missed time after he spent almost his entire rookie season recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in college and in 2023 served a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s gambling policy.

The former Alabama star appears to be in hot water again as he is facing a two-game suspension from the NFL for violating the league’s Performance Enhancing Substances (PES) policy. Williams has been outstanding so far this year with 17 receptions for 361 yards and three TDs as the Lions have raced out to the top of the NFC leaderboard. They will be without him for games against the Titans and Packers, but it shouldn’t be a massive setback for the team.

When asked about the suspension, Williams was obviously disappointed but said, “I have no choice but to take it on the chin.” The Lions are yet to comment on the suspension and little details are known, but it doesn’t appear as if Williams will appeal.

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Dolphins’ QB Tua Tagovailoa expected to return this Sunday vs. Arizona

Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa is expected to return from IR vs. Arizona this weekend.

After suffering another scary concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills, many wondered if former Alabama Crimson Tide QB Tua Tagovailoa would step away from the game. Fortunately for the Miami Dolphins, Tua decided to continue his career but did spend five weeks on the injured reserve list.

On Monday, the Dolphins designated Tagovailoa to return from the IR and make his return against the Arizona Cardinals this weekend, assuming he can clear concussion protocol. Miami was patient with Tua, especially given the severity of the injury, but they need him back as soon as possible after dropping three out of four games without him.

When asked if he worries about being hurt again, Tua said, “I love this game. And I love it to the death of me. And that’s it.”

People still question if Tua is making the right decision, but ultimately, it’s his well-being at stake. Tagovailoa also announced that he will not be wearing a guardian cap on his helmet due to “personal decisions,” which many people were critical of as they are supposed to be “10-15% safer.”

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Former star Alabama receiver traded to Buffalo Bills

The former Alabama star is on the move once again.

One of the greatest wide receivers in Alabama Crimson Tide football history is on the move once again in the NFL, as Amari Cooper was traded Tuesday from the Cleveland Browns to the Buffalo Bills according to reports.

Cooper was currently in the middle of his third season in Cleveland with the Browns where the veteran had two 1,000+ yard receiving seasons in 2022 and 2023. So far this season, Cooper had started in all six games with the Browns where he had 24 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns.

The former Alabama great is currently in his 10th NFL season, and now lands with his fourth different team. Over those 10 seasons, Cooper has nearly 10,000 receiving yards with 60+ touchdowns, and is a five-time Pro Bowl selection.

Cooper was a three-year starter at Alabama from 2012-14 who left the Crimson Tide as one of the greatest wide receivers in program history.

The star wideout has only continued to carry over that success year-by-year in the NFL, and will now look to do the same in Buffalo.