Back in the state where he grew into a 2023 draft pick, former Montgomery prep standout Travis Bell is eligible to make his NFL debut on Sunday.

Atlanta has signed Bell from the Chicago Bears’ practice squad, the Falcons announced on Wednesday.

When the Bears chose Bell with the first pick in the seventh round of the NFL Draft on April 29, the defensive tackle became the first player selected from Kennesaw State in the 88-year history of the event.

Chicago waived Bell when it reduced its 90-player preseason roster to the regular-season limit of 53, then re-signed him for the practice squad.

NFL rules allow a team to sign a player from another team’s practice squad, but only if he joins his new team’s active roster. That makes Bell eligible to play for the Falcons when they face the Minnesota Vikings at noon CST Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The Falcons lost two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Grady Jarrett to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Sunday’s 28-23 defeat by the Tennessee Titans and placed reserve defensive tackle LaCale London on injured reserve on Wednesday because of a knee injury.

On Monday, Atlanta acquired defensive tackle Kentavius Street in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Bell helped Jeff Davis (now known as J.A.G.) reach the postseason in his final two seasons. In both 2016 and 2017, the Volunteers’ season ended with a loss to McGill-Toolen in the AHSAA Class 7A playoffs.

Bell spent five seasons at Kennesaw State. During the 2022 campaign, Bell recorded 34 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks for the Owls.

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