The New England Patriots were awarded guard Lester Cotton from NFL waivers on Tuesday after the former Alabama lineman had been let go by the Miami Dolphins on Monday.

To make room on their 53-man active roster for Cotton, the Patriots released Michael Jordan, who had started 11 of New England’s 12 games at left guard.

While Jordan had played 684 offensive snaps for the Patriots this season, Cotton had played 60 at left guard in two games for the Dolphins, although he had appeared in every game on special teams.

Cole Strange played left guard for New England as a first-round rookie in 2022 and the first 10 games of 2023 before a knee injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. Strange returned to practice for the first time last week and can be activated from injured reserve anytime before Dec. 11.

The Patriots hold the fourth spot in the NFL waiver-wire order this week, which means only the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders passed on Cotton before he was claimed.

By adding Cotton off waivers, New England also picked up his contract. He’s in the second season of a two-year, $2.135 million deal signed with Miami last year.

The Dolphins waived Cotton to create a roster spot for offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn, who returned from a quadriceps injury and had been on the physically-unable-to-perform list.

Cotton entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie with the Oakland Raiders after starting for two seasons at Alabama, including for the 2017 CFP national championship team. Cotton came to Alabama as a 2014 Parade All-American and an All-State selection at Central-Tuscaloosa.

Cotton has started nine games in the regular season and one in the postseason during his NFL career. He has played in 43 regular-season and two playoff games.

Cotton has been waived six times during his NFL career.

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.

Ex-Alabama football linebacker Keanu Koht will have a change in NIL representation.

A&P Sports Agency announced Tuesday that it is no longer representing Koht.

“A&P Agency announces they have decided to part ways with Keanu Koht, effective 11/25/2024,” the agency released in a statement to AL.com. “We wish him the best in his future endeavors. No further details will be provided at this time.”

Koht, when reached for comment via Instagram on Tuesday by AL.com, said he “cut ties with them.”

Koht had been suspended from the Crimson Tide before announcing before the Oklahoma game that he had decided to enter the transfer portal.

“After careful reflection and consideration, I’ve come to realize that I’ve outgrown the shoes I once wore here,” Koht said as part of statement released by A&P Sports Agency a week ago. “With that in mind, I have made the decision to enter my name into the transfer portal, with two years of eligibility remaining. This was not an easy choice, but it’s one I believe is best for my future and personal growth.”

The transfer portal will officially open Dec. 9.

Koht did not travel with the team to LSU, and Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said he was suspended prior to the Mercer game.

“I’m not going to get into length or anything like that,” DeBoer said Mercer week.

Koht spent the last four seasons with the Crimson Tide. He didn’t play as a freshman in 2021, then largely worked as a reserve the rest of the time. He played in seven games this season, tallying five tackles, 0.5 sacks and recovering one fumble.

Next up, Alabama will face Auburn in the Iron Bowl on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, ABC) at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.

Alabama basketball’s run in the Players Era Festival starts with another fellow returning NCAA Tournament contender.

The No. 9 Crimson Tide (4-1) is set to face No. 7 Houston on Tuesday to kick off its Thanksgiving tournament appearance in Las Vegas, NV.

It will be the first time that Alabama and Houston (3-1) have met since coach Nate Oats and company traveled to Texas in December 2022, returning to Tuscaloosa with a 71-65 victory.

The teams are tied in the series with three wins and three losses each.

Here’s how Alabama fans can tune in to see the Crimson Tide compete for over $59 million in NIL.

TIDE TAKES VEGAS: What to know about Alabama basketball in Players Era Festival: NIL millions and more

LOOKING BACK: Alabama basketball, Nate Oats react to 100-point game with zero points from Mark Sears

What channel is Alabama vs. Houston today?

• TV channel: TBS
• Streaming: Sling, Hulu, Max

Alabama and Houston’s top 10 matchup on Tuesday will be broadcast on TBS, which can be streamed via Sling, Hulu or the B/R Sports package for Max.

Watch Alabama basketball with Sling!

Alabama basketball vs. Houston start time

• Date: Tuesday, November 26
• Start time: 7 p.m. CT

The Alabama vs. Houston game will be played at approximately 7 p.m. CT Tuesday at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Alabama basketball schedule for 2024-25 season

Record: (4-1)

• Nov. 4: UNC-Asheville (W 110-54)
• Nov. 8: Arkansas State (W 88-79)
• Nov. 11: McNeese State (W 72-64)
• Nov. 15: at Purdue (L 87-78)
• Nov. 20: Illinois − C.M. Newton Classic (W 100-87)
• Nov. 26: Houston − Players Era Festival, 7 p.m. CT
• Nov. 27: Rutgers − Players Era Festival, 9 p.m. CT
• Nov. 30: TBD (originally Notre Dame) − Players Era Festival, TBD
• Dec. 4: at UNC − SEC/ACC Challenge, 6:15 p.m. CT
• Dec. 14: Creighton, 7:30 p.m. CT
• Dec. 18: at North Dakota, 7:30 p.m. CT
• Dec. 22: Kent State, 12 p.m. CT
• Dec. 29: South Dakota State, 2 p.m. CT
• Jan. 4: Oklahoma, 5 p.m. CT
• Jan. 8: at South Carolina, 6 p.m. CT
• Jan. 11: at Texas A&M, 7 p.m. CT
• Jan. 14: Ole Miss, 6 p.m. CT
• Jan. 19: at Kentucky, 11 a.m. CT
• Jan. 21: Vanderbilt, 6 p.m. CT
• Jan. 25: LSU, 7:30 p.m. CT
• Jan. 29: at Mississippi State, 8 p.m. CT
• Feb. 1: Georgia, 11 a,m./1 or 3 p.m. CT
• Feb. 8: at Arkansas, 7 p.m. CT
• Feb. 11: at Texas, 8 p.m. CT
• Feb. 15: Auburn, 3 p.m. CT
• Feb. 19: at Missouri, 8 p.m. CT
• Feb. 22: Kentucky, 5 p.m. CT
• Feb. 25: Mississippi State, 8 p.m. CT
• Mar. 1: at Tennessee, 12 or 3 p.m. CT
• Mar. 5: Florida, 6 p.m. CT
• Mar. 8: at Auburn, 1 p.m. CT

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.