Former Alabama DB marks 2023 NFL debut with interception

Former Alabama DB marks 2023 NFL debut with interception

Ronnie Harrison become the 70th former Alabama player to appear in the NFL 2023 regular season on Sunday. But he didn’t stop there in his first game with the Indianapolis Colts.

Harrison had spent his sixth NFL season on the Colts’ practice squad until Tuesday, when Indianapolis signed him to its 53-player active roster. After spending his NFL career as a safety, Harrison was designated as linebacker by the Colts for his return to the field.

On Sunday, Harrison intercepted a first-and-10 throw by Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield intended for wide receiver Mike Evans and returned it 9 yards to the Buccaneers 41-yard line with 1:49 left in the first quarter.

The Indianapolis offense capitalized on the field position with a touchdown drive to take a 10-3 lead.

Harrison’s previous interception came when he and Mayfield were teammates on the Cleveland Browns. Harrison picked off Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson in a 16-10 loss to the Ravens on Nov. 28, 2021.

Harrison has six interceptions in his career.

By playing on Sunday, Harrison pushed Alabama into a tie for the record that it set last year for the most players from one college program appearing in the same NFL season.

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