Alabama
NFL Saturday roundup: Rookie kicker from Alabama connects from long distance for Vikings
Minnesota kicker Will Reichard concluded his first NFL preseason on Saturday by scoring 14 points in the Minnesota Vikings’ 26-3 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
The rookie from Alabama made two extra points and connected on field goals of 31, 33, 20 and 57 yards.
In the NFL’s other preseason games on Saturday:
· Undrafted rookie running back Frank Gore Jr. ran for 101 yards and one touchdown for Buffalo, but undrafted rookie quarterback Jack Plummer threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns for Carolina in the Panthers’ 31-26 victory over the Bills.
· Green Bay and Baltimore combined for 212 passing yards in a game that featured a 28-yard loss on a sack, but the Packers prevailed with 193 rushing yards in a 30-7 victory over the Ravens.
· The Pittsburgh Steelers sacked Detroit quarterback Hendon Herndon five times and intercepted him once, but he also ran for 93 yards on 10 carries and threw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass as the Lions rallied for a 24-17 victory.
· The Houston Texans stopped a 2-point conversion run with 3:15 to play after Los Angeles Rams running back Zach Evans’ second touchdown of the game for a 17-15 victory.
· Dallas quarterback Trey Lance threw for 323 yards and one touchdown and ran for 90 yards and another score, but he also threw five interceptions, including one from the Los Angeles 20-yard line on the game’s final snap, as the Chargers beat the Cowboys 26-19.
· Israel Abanikanda ran 45 yards for the game’s only touchdown with 14:03 left in the first half to send the New York Jets to a 10-6 victory over the New York Giants.
· A 79-yard punt return for a touchdown by wide receiver Dee Eskridge, a 56-yard TD run by running back Kenny McIntosh and a 58-yard field goal by Jason Myers helped the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Cleveland Browns 37-33.
In regular-season play, only one field goal in Minnesota history has been longer than 56 yards – a 61-yarder by Greg Joseph on the final snap of a 27-24 victory over the New York Giants on Dec. 24, 2022.
While becoming the NCAA FBS career scoring leader with the Crimson Tide, Reichard’s longest field goal had covered 52 yards. With 2:15 left in the fourth quarter against Philadelphia, the rookie exceeded that by 5 yards in his third NFL preseason game.
“It was a good op for Will,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “He had had some kickoffs and things like that, but hadn’t really done a whole lot there in the second half, so to give him a swing and him walk out there and just hit a 57-yarder like it’s nothing. I’m trying to remember the last time I saw him miss a kick. He’s been ultra-consistent.
“We were throwing different situational drills at him throughout training camp and really testing our team on some of those kind of will-I-go-for-it, will-I-punt, will-I-kick type of things where he doesn’t really know, and he responded in those moments, kicked really well in the games, and, ultimately, I think he’s got a lot of confidence going into the regular season, which is what we wanted.”
Reichard’s first preseason field-goal attempt for the Vikings was blocked. But he came back in that game to kick a 38-yard field goal on the final snap to beat the Las Vegas Raiders 24-23 on Aug. 10.
Reichard made field goals of 41 and 38 yards and kicked three extra points for the second game in a row as Minnesota defeated the Cleveland Browns 27-12 on Aug. 17.
A former Hoover High School standout, Reichard joined the Vikings as the first kicker chosen in the 2024 NFL Draft at No. 203.
After completing the preseason undefeated, the Vikings move to regular-season play, which will kick off against the New York Giants at noon CDT Sept. 8.
Other players from Alabama high schools and colleges involved in Saturday’s preseason games included:
Carolina Panthers tight end Jordan Matthews celebrates after catching a touchdown pass during an NFL preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.(AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Carolina Panthers 31, Buffalo Bills 26
· Bills guard Gunner Britton (Auburn) did not record any stats.
· Derrick Brown (Auburn) started at defensive end for the Panthers. Brown made one tackle.
· Panthers linebacker Tae Davis (Oxford) did not play.
· Panthers safety Rudy Ford (New Hope, Auburn) led Carolina with six tackles.
· Tylan Grable (Jacksonville State) started at left offensive tackle for the Bills.
· Kareem Jackson (Alabama) started at safety for the Bills. Jackson made three tackles and broke up a pass.
· Panthers quarterback Michael Jackson (Spain Park) did not play. Carolina acquired Jackson in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday.
· Panthers outside linebacker Eku Leota (Auburn) did not record any stats.
· Jordan Matthews (Madison Academy) started at tight end for the Panthers. Matthews had three receptions for 21 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown catch with 8:12 left in the first quarter to cap Carolina’s first series. The touchdown was the first for Matthews in an NFL preseason, regular-season or playoff game since Jan. 13, 2019, when he caught a 37-yard TD pass from quarterback Nick Foles in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 20-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in the second round of the NFC playoffs.
· Bills linebacker Nicholas Morrow (Huntsville) did not play.
· Panthers defensive end LaBryan Ray (James Clemens, Alabama) made one tackle.
· A’Shawn Robinson (Alabama) started at defensive end for the Panthers. Robinson made one tackle.
· Tyrell Shavers (Alabama) started at wide receiver for the Bills. Shavers had two receptions for 15 yards.
· Javon Solomon (Troy) started at defensive end for the Bills. Solomon made one tackle on defense and one tackle on special teams.
· Panthers linebacker Chandler Wooten (Auburn) made four tackles.
· Bryce Young (Alabama) started at quarterback for the Panthers. Young completed 6-of-8 passes for 70 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions on Carolina’s opening series. Young took a seat for the day after connecting with tight end Jordan Matthews on an 8-yard TD pass with 8:12 left in the first quarter.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back La’Mical Perine reaches the end zone during an NFL preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at Ford Field in Detroit.(Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Detroit Lions 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
· Steelers defensive tackle Montravius Adams (Auburn) made three tackles.
· Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (Alabama) did not play.
· Lions defensive back Brian Branch (Alabama) did not play.
· Lions cornerback Carlton Davis (Auburn) did not play.
· Steelers offensive lineman TyKeem Doss (Aliceville) did not record any stats.
· Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) started at free safety for the Steelers. Fitzpatrick did not record any stats.
· Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama) did not play.
· Steelers cornerback Zyon Gilbert (Jeff Davis) tied for the team lead with eight tackles and recorded one tackle for loss.
· Najee Harris (Alabama) started at running back for the Steelers. Harris had a 5-yard run.
· Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (Northridge, North Alabama) did not record any stats.
· Steelers linebacker Jeremiah Moon (Hoover) did not play.
· Steelers running back La’Mical Perine (Theodore) ran for 16 yards and one touchdown on six carries. Perine scored a touchdown on a 1-yard run as Pittsburgh took a 14-0 lead with 6:05 left in the first quarter.
· George Pickens (Hoover) started at wide receiver for the Steelers. Pickens had two receptions for 26 yards – one for 32 yards and one for minus-6.
· Steelers wide receiver Quez Watkins (Athens) had a 10-yard reception.
· Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (Alabama) did not play.
Anders Carlson of the Green Bay Packers kicks a field goal during an NFL preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.(AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Green Bay Packers, 30, Baltimore Ravens 7
· Jalyn Armour-Davis (St. Paul’s Episcopal, Alabama) started at cornerback for the Ravens. Armour-Davis made four tackles.
· Packers kicker Anders Carlson (Auburn) made a 54-yard field goal and two extra points, but he missed to the right on a 32-yard field-goal attempt. Carlson is in a competition to keep his job as Green Bay’s kicker against Greg Joseph, who made field goals from 36 and 55 yards and one extra point.
· Malik Cunningham (Park Crossing) started at wide receiver for the Ravens. Cunningham had a 6-yard reception.
· Ravens guard Darrian Dalcourt (Alabama) did not record any stats.
· Grant DuBose (Park Crossing) started at wide receiver for the Packers. DuBose was targeted once but not have a reception.
· Ravens running back Derrick Henry (Alabama) did not play.
· Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (Hoover, Alabama) did not play.
· Ravens safety Eddie Jackson (Alabama) did not play.
· Packers running back Josh Jacobs (Alabama) did not play.
· Ravens guard Tashawn Manning (Auburn) did not record any stats.
· Ravens cornerback Christian Matthew (Samford) made one tackle.
· Packers safety Xavier McKinney (Alabama) did not play.
· Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce (Daphne, Samford) did not play.
· Kadeem Telfort (UAB) started at left offensive tackle for the Packers.
· Packers wide receiver Jalen Wayne (Spanish Fort, South Alabama) did not record any stats.
· Colby Wooden (Auburn) started at defensive tackle for the Packers. Wooden made two tackles and recorded one tackle for loss.
Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III catches the football during an NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at NRG Stadium in Houston.(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans 17, Los Angeles Rams 15
· Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) did not play.
· Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (Clay-Chalkville) did not play.
· Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (Alabama A&M) did not play.
· Rams tight end Miller Forristall (Alabama) had two receptions for 10 yards.
· Texans linebacker Christian Harris (Alabama) did not play.
· Marcus Harris (Park Crossing, Auburn) started at defensive tackle for the Texans. Harris made two tackles, registered one quarterback hit and broke up one pass.
· Texans offensive tackle Tytus Howard (Monroe County, Alabama State) did not play.
· Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter (American Christian) did not play.
· John Metchie III (Alabama) started at wide receiver for the Texans. Metchie had two receptions for 21 yards.
· Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o (Alabama) did not play.
· Texans safety Jimmie Ward (Davidson) did not play.
· Rams cornerback Darious Williams (UAB) did not play.
· Kilian Zierer (Auburn) started left offensive tackle for the Texans.
Minnesota Vikings running back DeWayne McBride carries the football during an NFL preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Minnesota Vikings 26, Philadelphia Eagles 3
· Eagles safety Reed Blankenship (West Limestone) did not play.
· Eagles cornerback James Bradberry (Pleasant Grove, Samford) did not play.
· Eagles guard Landon Dickerson (Alabama) did not play.
· Eagles defensive end Bryce Huff (St. Paul’s Episcopal) did not play.
· Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (Alabama) did not play.
· Eagles cornerback Josh Jobe (Alabama) made three tackles.
· Eagles outside linebacker Terrell Lewis (Alabama) made three tackles.
· Vikings running back DeWayne McBride (UAB) ran for 34 yards on 11 carries and caught two passes for 27 yards.
· Bobby McCain (Oxford) started at safety for the Vikings. McCain made two tackles.
· Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens (Spain Park) did not play.
· Eagles cornerback Eli Ricks (Alabama) made four tackles.
· Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (Alabama) did not play.
· Eagles offensive lineman Tyler Steen (Alabama) did not play.
· Vikings outside linebacker Dallas Turner (Alabama) did not play.
· Eagles wide receiver Austin Watkins (UAB) was targeted once but did not have a reception.
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Justin Rogers rushes the passer during an NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Los Angeles Chargers 26, Dallas Cowboys 19
· Chargers center Bradley Bozeman (Handley, Alabama) did not play.
· Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (Alabama) did not play.
· Chargers defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (Alabama) made two tackles and registered one quarterback hit.
· A.J. Finley (St. Paul’s Episcopal) started at safety for the Chargers. Finley made three tackles, recorded one tackle for loss and broke up one pass.
· Chargers long snapper Josh Harris (Auburn) handled the snaps for six punts, two field goals and two extra points.
· Cowboys defensive end Carl Lawson (Auburn) did not record any stats.
· Alex Leatherwood (Alabama) started at left offensive tackle for the Chargers.
· Shane Lee (Alabama) started at linebacker for the Chargers. Lee made five tackles on defense and one on special teams.
· Justin Rogers (Auburn) started at defensive end for the Cowboys. Rogers made one tackle and broke up one pass.
· Chargers punter JK Scott (Alabama) averaged 50.0 yards on six punts with a 44.0-yard net. Scott’s final two punts pinned Dallas at its 8- and 10-yard lines in the fourth quarter.
· Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (McGill-Toolen, South Alabama) did not play.
· Chargers running back Kimani Vidal (Troy) did not play.
· Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams (Lee-Montgomery) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
New York Jets 10, New York Giants 6
· Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott (Saraland) did not play.
· Jets wide receiver Tyler Harrell (Alabama) did not record any stats.
· Jaylen Key (UAB/Alabama) started at safety for the Jets. Key made four tackles.
· Giants linebacker Trey Kiser (South Alabama) made one tackle.
· Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley (Theodore, Alabama) did not play.
· Evan Neal (Alabama) started at right offensive tackle for the Giants. Neal played for the first time since an ankle injury caused him to miss the final eight games of the 2023 season, and team announced in the first half of Saturday night’s game that Neal would be questionable to return with an ankle injury.
· Giants defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Central-Phenix City) did not play.
· Jets tight end Lincoln Sefcik (South Alabama) had a 12-yard reception.
· Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood (Auburn) did not play.
· Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (Auburn) did not play.
· Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (Wenonah) did not play.
· Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (Wenonah, Alabama) did not play.
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett moves in to tackle Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman during an NFL preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at Lumen Field in Seattle.(AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks 37, Cleveland Browns 33
· Browns cornerback Tony Brown (Alabama) did not play.
· Browns guard Javon Cohen (Central-Phenix City, Alabama) did not record any stats.
· Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (Alabama) did not play.
· Mohamoud Diabate (Auburn High) started at linebacker for the Browns. Diabate made three tackles and recorded one sack.
· Browns defensive back Chris Edmonds (Samford) made four tackles on defense, recorded one tackle for loss and had two tackles on special teams.
· Jerome Ford (Alabama) started at running back for the Browns. Ford ran for 11 yards on three carries.
· Seahawks outside linebacker Derick Hall (Auburn) did not record any stats.
· Seahawks cornerback DJ James (Spanish Fort, Auburn) made six tackles and recorded one sack, the first as a pro for the sixth-round rookie.
· Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (Alabama) did not play.
· Seahawks nose tackle Buddha Jones (Troy) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
· Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (Jackson, Auburn) made five tackles, recorded one tackle for loss and broke up one pass.
· Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (Alabama) recorded one sack.
· Seahawks outside linebacker Jamie Sheriff (South Alabama) made three tackles, recorded two sacks and registered three quarterback hits.
· Za’Darius Smith (Greenville) started at defensive end for the Browns. Smith did not record any stats.
· Browns defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (Alabama) did not play.
· Browns linebacker Nathaniel Watson (Maplesville) did not play.
· Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (Alabama) did not play.
· Jameis Winston (Hueytown) started at quarterback for the Browns. Winston completed 6-of-9 passes for 63 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions and had a 6-yard run.
· Browns defensive end Alex Wright (Elba, UAB) did not play.
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.
Alabama
Alabama lawmakers considering closed primary change
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Members of the House Ethics and Campaign Finance Committee heard from more than a dozen people in their Wednesday morning meeting about whether the state should close its primary elections or keep them open.
Closed primaries would mean only registered republicans can vote in republican primaries, and only registered democrats can vote in democratic primaries.
“Closed primaries protect the voice of the people who are truly invested in the party’s vision,” said Carol Johns, secretary of Alabama’s Republican Party, who spoke in favor of HB541.
Alabama voters currently do not have to declare a political party affiliation when registering to vote.
Other public speakers disagreed with the idea.
Some said that they feel the open primaries give them the flexibility to choose the candidates that most align with their views rather than selecting a single political party.
“I’m not Democrat, not Republican, I am an unaffiliated voter who defended everything that you stand for,” said Andrew Newby, a former Marine who spoke in opposition to HB541. “I’m not allowed to vote in this state. That defies reasoning.”
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Ernie Yarbrough (R-Trinity), said he wants to discourage anyone from voting in primaries with the intention of bringing unqualified candidates to the general election.
“My bigger concern here is that we have closed primaries so that everyone gets to choose the party that they want to vote for, and the candidate, the nominee that they vote for, reflects the party’s values,” he said.
However, the committee’s democratic members, including Rep. Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa), pushed back on the idea.
“If this bill passes, in order to participate, I got to pick a party before I pick a candidate,” he said.
While there are states that already have closed primaries, Rep. England said he is against the idea for any state.
“It’s the antithesis of what democracy is supposed to be about,” he said.
The committee did hold a vote on House Bill 541 after the public comment. Chairman Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne) said that the committee will hold a final vote on the bill during a special meeting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. central.
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Copyright 2026 WSFA. All rights reserved.
Alabama
Prevention Day at the Capitol highlights systems in place that are reducing substance misuse, overdose deaths
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Wednesday is “Prevention Day” at the state Capitol, an effort to continue drops in substance abuse in Alabama.
The day is dedicated to raising awareness about the work and the systems in place to prevent more people from using and becoming addicted to controlled substances.
For the second year in a row, prevention professionals from across Alabama will connect at the Capitol to hear inspiring stories from young people, community partners, and those in the field of prevention. The group will also meet with lawmakers to share priorities, and feature young people leading prevention efforts in their schools.
Prevention Day at the Capitol starts at 9 a.m.
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Copyright 2026 WSFA. All rights reserved.
Alabama
What to know about the Alabama man granted clemency two days before his execution
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday granted clemency to a man on death row who was scheduled to be executed Thursday even though he did not personally kill anyone.
Ivey commuted Charles “Sonny” Burton’s death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Burton, 75, was convicted of capital murder for the shooting death of Doug Battle during a 1991 robbery. Another man, Derrick DeBruce, shot Battle after Burton had left the building.
The 1991 murder and legal proceedings
The shooting occurred Aug. 16, 1991, during a robbery at an AutoZone auto parts store in Talladega. Doug Battle, a 34-year-old Army veteran and father of four, was shot and killed after entering the store during the robbery.
Before they went inside, Burton said if anyone caused trouble in the store that he would “take care of it,” according to testimony.
As the robbery was ending, Battle entered the store. He threw his wallet down, got onto the floor and exchanged words with DeBruce. LaJuan McCants, who was 16 at the time, testified that Burton and others had left the store before DeBruce shot Battle in the back.
A jury convicted DeBruce and Burton of capital murder and both were sentenced to death. During closing arguments, a prosecutor argued Burton was “just as guilty as Derrick DeBruce, because he’s there to aid and assist him.” Prosecutors pointed to the statement about handling trouble as evidence that Burton was the robbery leader. Burton’s attorneys have disputed that he was the leader.
DeBruce had his death sentence overturned on appeal after a court agreed that he had ineffective counsel. DeBruce was resentenced to life imprisonment and later died in prison.
Ivey’s reasons for granting clemency
Ivey said she “cannot proceed in good conscience with the execution of Mr. Burton” when the triggerman had his sentence reduced to life imprisonment.
“I believe it would be unjust for one participant in this crime to be executed while the participant who pulled the trigger was not,” Ivey said in a statement. “To be clear, Mr. Burton will not be eligible for parole and will rightfully spend the remainder of his life behind bars for his role in the robbery that led to the murder of Doug Battle. He will now receive the same punishment as the triggerman.”
It is only the second time the Republican governor, who has presided over 25 executions, has granted clemency to a person on death row.
“The murder of Doug Battle was a senseless and tragic crime, and this decision does not diminish the profound loss felt by the Battle family. I pray that they may find peace and closure,” Ivey said.
A mix of praise and criticism
The governor’s decision drew a mix of praise and criticism.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said he was “deeply disappointed” in the action and said he believes Burton’s execution should have gone forward. Marshall said Burton organized the armed robbery that led to Battle’s death. He said “longstanding Alabama law recognizes accomplice liability, as has every judge that has touched this case over three decades.”
“There has never been any doubt that Sonny Burton has Douglas Battle’s blood on his hands,” Marshall said.
Alice Marie Johnson, whom President Donald Trump had tapped last year as his “pardon czar,” praised Ivey. She said the governor “showed what courageous and common sense leadership looks like.”
“By commuting the death sentence of Charles “Sonny” Burton, she ensured that justice — not technicalities — guides the most serious decision a state can make,” Johnson wrote on social media.
Other Republican governors have granted clemency where there were concerns the person scheduled to be executed was the less culpable defendant. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt last year commuted the sentence of Tremane Wood to life, matching the sentence of his brother who confessed to the murder.
What happens next
Burton will be moved off of Alabama’s death row, where he has been imprisoned since 1992. However, it is unclear when that will happen. A spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Corrections did not immediately return an email seeking comment.
Burton will spend the rest of his life in prison since he doesn’t have the possibility of parole.
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