8 Alabama-roots players become game-eligible in NFL

8 Alabama-roots players become game-eligible in NFL

Eight players from Alabama high schools and colleges who weren’t eligible to play in Sunday’s NFL games on Friday are eligible now.

One player was signed to the 53-man active roster, five were restored to active status after injuries and two were elevated from practice squads.

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Outside linebacker Ryan Anderson (Daphne, Alabama) played in an NFL regular-season game last week for the first time since Nov. 15, 2020. After playing five defensive snaps in Pittsburgh’s 24-20 loss to the New York Jets as a practice-squad elevation, Anderson will be eligible to play against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday as a member of the Steelers’ active roster.

Pittsburgh signed Anderson to the 53-player active roster on Saturday.

Players on the NFL’s various reserve lists were eligible to return to practice on Wednesday after missing the required four games, giving their teams 21 days to restore them to active rosters. Teams wasted no time in doing so with five players with Alabama football roots, who are now eligible to play on Sunday. The players returning from injuries are:

· Houston Texans defensive end Mario Addison (Tarrant, Troy)

· Tennessee Titans linebacker Monty Rice (James Clemens)

· Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Alabama)

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· Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (Park Crossing)

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· San Francisco 49ers safety Jimmie Ward (Davidson)

Taylor-Britt and Robinson are eligible for more than their 2022 debuts. As rookies, Sunday’s game would be their first in the NFL if they play.

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Chester Rogers (Lee-Huntsville) and Detroit Lions cornerback Saivion Smith (Alabama) have been elevated from practice squads. Each game, each NFL team can elevate two players from its practice squad to make them game-eligible.

Rogers already has been elevated once and returned two punts for Cleveland. Smith will make his 2022 debut if he plays in the Lions’ game against the New England Patriots.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.