On Jan. 3, 2021, quarterback AJ McCarron lined up as the personal protector in punt formation for the Houston Texans. The ploy caught the Tennessee Titans flat-footed, and McCarron took the snap and tossed a 20-yard completion.

That was the former Alabama All-American’s most recent NFL regular-season snap – until Sunday.

When Cincinnati quarterback Jake Browning left with an injury in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts, McCarron was in the game for his first appearance for the Bengals since Dec. 17, 2017.

McCarron spent his first four NFL seasons with Cincinnati, then was with the Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders and Texans before he sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during an Atlanta Falcons’ preseason game on Aug. 21, 2021, and spent the season on injured reserve.

After sitting out the 2022 season, McCarron played for the XFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks earlier this year, and he led the league in touchdown passes, completion percentage and passing-efficiency rating.

McCarron joined the Bengals’ practice squad on Sept. 23, and he moved into the backup role for Browning when Joe Burrow sustained a season-ending wrist injury on Nov. 26.

On the second play of the fourth quarter on Sunday, Browning hurt his hand while scrambling for 3 yards.

McCarron took one snap before the Bengals punted. But Indianapolis’ Isaiah McKenzie muffed the punt, and Cincinnati recovered at the Colts 12-yard line. McCarron lost a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tee Higgins because of an offensive-holding penalty, and the Bengals settled for a field goal to take a 31-14 lead with 11:14 left to play.

Browning returned to the game when Cincinnati regained possession with 9:23 remaining. After the Bengals’ 34-14 victory, Browning said he had to leave the field because of a cramp.

McCarron earned All-State honors in football and baseball at St. Paul’s Episcopal in Mobile and helped the Saints win the AHSAA Class 5A football championship in 2007.

McCarron was the starting quarterback for the Alabama teams that won the BCS national championships for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. In 2013, he became the Crimson Tide’s all-time passing leader, won the Maxwell Award and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and finished second in the Heisman Trophy balloting.

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