Former Alabama prep, Troy standout in line for his NFL debut

The Chicago Bears elevated cornerback Reddy Steward from their practice squad on Saturday, making the former Austin High School and Troy standout eligible for his NFL debut on Sunday.

An undrafted rookie who earned a spot on the Bears’ practice squad after he intercepted two passes and returned one for a touchdown in Chicago’s preseason finale, Steward will have the opportunity to play for the first time in the regular season against the Arizona Cardinals at 3:05 p.m. CST Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

A two-time All-State selection for his Decatur high school and a two-time All-Sun Belt Conference first-team pick during his four seasons as a starter at Troy, Steward is up with Chicago cornerback Kyler Gordon questionable to play because of a hamstring injury.

Each NFL team can elevate two players from its practice squad to active status for each game. Steward was among four players from Alabama high schools and college elevated on Saturday for Sunday’s games:

· The Denver Broncos elevated linebacker Kwon Alexander (Oxford) for their game against the Baltimore Ravens. Alexander also was elevated for the Broncos’ previous two games, started one and played 34 defensive snaps. Because no player may be elevated from the practice squad more than three times, Denver will need to sign Alexander to its 53-man active roster for him to play again for the Broncos in 2024 after Sunday.

· The Miami Dolphins elevated defensive tackle Neil Farrell Jr. (Murphy) for their game against the Buffalo Bills. Farrell also was elevated for Dolphins’ previous game, and he played 11 defensive snaps in a 28-27 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in his 2024 debut.

· The Seattle Seahawks elevated cornerback Josh Jobe (Alabama) for their game against the Los Angeles Rams. Jobe also was elevated for the Seahawks’ previous two games, started one and played 116 defensive snaps. In Seattle’s 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Jobe got his first NFL interception. Because no player may be elevated from the practice squad more than three times, the Seahawks will need to sign Jobe to their 53-man active roster for him to play again for Seattle in 2024 after Sunday.

Another player with Alabama football roots eligible for Sunday’s games who wasn’t when Saturday started is Jordan Matthews (Madison Academy). The Carolina Panthers signed the tight end to their 53-man active roster from their practice squad.

The Panthers play the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Matthews already played in the first two games of the season for Carolina.

A tight end with Alabama football roots also left an active roster on Saturday, when the Las Vegas Raiders waived John Samuel Shenker (Auburn). Shenker had been on the field for 60 offensive snaps and 63 special-teams plays in five games for Las Vegas this season. In Sunday’s 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Shenker caught his first NFL pass for a 7-yard gain.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

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