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NFL Sunday roundup: Former Alabama tight end catches game-winning touchdown pass

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NFL Sunday roundup: Former Alabama tight end catches game-winning touchdown pass


Since entering the NFL from Alabama as an undrafted rookie in 2021, tight end Miller Forristall has been on the rosters of four NFL franchises, including the Cleveland Browns twice two years apart. He’s played in six regular-season games – the most recent on Nov. 13, 2022. He has zero career receptions.

But on Sunday, Forristall came up big in the Los Angeles Rams’ preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys by catching a 6-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Stetson Bennett with four seconds to play, and the Rams won 13-12 when Joshua Karty kicked the extra point.

The touchdown catch was Forristall’s third reception of the game, and he finished with 19 receiving yards. All of Forristall’s receptions came on Los Angeles’ 13-play, 70-yard drive to the winning touchdown after Dallas had taken a 12-6 lead with 2:52 remaining.

In a preseason rarity, Bennett went all the way at quarterback for the Rams. He completed 24-of-38 passes for 224 yards, but he was intercepted four times. The final completion to Forristall was Los Angeles’ only touchdown of the game.

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One other player from an Alabama high school or college got on the field during the Dallas-Los Angeles game:

· Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (Alabama) did not play.

· Cowboys defensive tackle Justin Rogers (Auburn) made two tackles and recorded a tackle for loss in his first pro game. Rogers joined Dallas in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft on April 27.

· Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (McGill-Toolen, South Alabama) did not play.

· Rams cornerback Darious Williams (UAB) did not play.

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· Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams (Lee-Montgomery) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.

Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham scrambles during an NFL preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Former Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham is competing to become the Denver Broncos’ starting QB for the 2024 season. His teammates didn’t do him any favors in the NFL’s other preseason game on Sunday.

In Denver’s 34-30 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, Stidham started, and the Broncos didn’t score during his two series. Denver got 20 points with rookie Bo Nix at quarterback and the final 14 with Zach Wilson under center.

Stidham opened the preseason for the Broncos offense with a 13-yard completion to wide receiver Courtland Sutton and a 14-yard completion to wide receiver Tim Patrick to move Denver to the Indianapolis 44-yard line in two snaps.

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But Patrick got a taunting penalty after his catch to set back the Broncos, and Denver had false-start penalties on two of its next four trips to the line. The Broncos’ first possession of the preseason ended with a punt from the Denver 47-yard line.

On the Broncos’ next offensive series, a scramble by Stidham had Denver at the Colts 44-yard line again. But a holding penalty against Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles negated the play. Two snaps later, running back Samaje Perine played a pass from Stidham into an interception by Indianapolis cornerback Kenny Moore II.

“I thought we moved the ball really well,” Stidham said. “We kind of shot ourselves in the foot mainly those first two drives with penalties and that sort of thing. But a lot of good, I thought. Obviously, we’ll take a look at the film and get better from it, and, obviously, clean up the penalties because, like I said, I thought that was probably the biggest thing. But I thought we were pretty efficient there pretty early on. Obviously, the penalties, we got to figure that out for sure.”

Stidham completed 4-of-7 passes for 37 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.

Eight other players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field during the Denver-Indianapolis game on Sunday:

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· Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine (Spanish Fort) made one tackle in his pro debut. Abrams-Draine joined Denver in the fifth round of the NFL Draft on April 27.

· Angelo Blackson (Auburn) started at defensive tackle for the Broncos. Blackson did not record any stats.

· Colts defensive lineman Raekwon Davis (Alabama) did not play.

· Colts safety Ronnie Harrison (Alabama) made two tackles.

· Ryan Kelly (Alabama) started at center for the Colts.

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· Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (Pinson Valley, Auburn) completed 15-of-21 passes for 125 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions and ran for 17 yards on three carries in his pro debut. Nix joined Denver as the 12th selection in the NFL Draft on April 25. Nix also had a tackle after Indianapolis picked up a fumble by the Broncos.

· Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders (Alabama) in on active/physically unable to perform and not eligible to play. Sanders suffered a torn Achilles tendon during offseason workouts.

· Colts cornerback Jaylin Simpson (Auburn) made two tackles in his pro debut. Simpson joined Indianapolis in the fifth round of the NFL Draft on April 27.

· Braden Smith (Auburn) started at right offensive tackle for the Colts.

· Broncos cornerback Tremon Smith (Saks) returned a kickoff 28 yards and made one tackle on special teams.

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· Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II (Alabama) did not play.

· Broncos cornerback Levi Wallace (Alabama) 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.





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Alabama in the NFL: Former Heisman winner among best from Week 16

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Alabama in the NFL: Former Heisman winner among best from Week 16


Yet another week of NFL action has passed, and once again, it was a huge slate for Alabama Crimson Tide football.

A slate of games in which multiple teams clinched playoff berths, former Alabama players were back in action this past weekend at the professional level, with many going on to make significant impacts in their respective games. Some of those same names were also recently named to the 2026 Pro Bowl, only adding to what has been a solid overall season for the Crimson Tide in the NFL.

With the likes of Jalen Hurts, Malachi Moore, and Bryce Young among the names who also enjoyed a big week, here are five of Alabama’s top performing former players during Week 16 in the NFL.

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Derrick Henry, Running Back – Baltimore Ravens

The former Heisman Trophy winner was likely Alabama’s top offensive performance of Week 16, even despite losing a fumble in the Baltimore Ravens’ 28-24 loss to the New England Patriots. In all, Henry rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 18 attempts, translating to an average of 7.1 yards per carry.

Jonathan Allen, Defensive Tackle – Minnesota Vikings

In a week loaded with impressive defensive performances, there were likely none greater than that of Allen during a 16-13 win for the Minnesota Vikings over the New York Giants. Allen finished the game with eight total tackles, four of which were solo, along with one sack, two TFL, and one quarterback hit.

Will Reichard, Kicker – Minnesota Vikings

Another member of the Minnesota Vikings who made an impact in their 16-13 win over the New York Giants was the former Alabama kicker. Also making his lone extra point attempt, Reichard finished 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, a trio of makes that came from 43, 31, and 30 yards.

Jordan Battle, Safety – Cincinnati Bengals

Battle enjoyed a huge performance during the Bengals’ 45-21 win over the Miami Dolphins, leading Cincinnati with a total of 10 tackles. Of those 10 tackles, six from Battle were solo.

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Marlon Humphrey, Cornerback – Baltimore Ravens

Rounding out Alabama’s top performances from NFL Week 16 was Humphrey, who enjoyed a solid showing despite the Baltimore Ravens’ 28-24 loss to the New England Patriots. Humphrey finished with six total tackles, all of which were solo, two pass defenses, and an interception.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.





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McDaniel has 23, Memphis defeats Alabama State 88-67

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McDaniel has 23, Memphis defeats Alabama State 88-67


MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Dug McDaniel scored 23 points as Memphis beat Alabama State 88-67 on Monday night.

McDaniel went 8 of 16 from the field (7 for 12 from 3-point range) for the Tigers (5-7). Curtis Givens III scored 18 points and added three steals. Ashton Hardaway shot 4 for 8 (2 for 4 from 3-point range) and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line to finish with 15 points, while adding seven rebounds and five steals.

Asjon Anderson led the way for the Hornets (3-9) with 16 points. Damarien Yates added 13 points and nine rebounds for Alabama State. Tyler Mason also recorded 12 points. The loss is the sixth in a row for the Hornets.

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McDaniel scored 14 points in the first half to help Memphis build a 42-33 halftime lead. Memphis pulled away with a 12-2 run in the second half to extend a nine-point lead to 19 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.



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What Kalen DeBoer said about facing ‘great’ Indiana team with ‘swagger’ in Rose Bowl

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What Kalen DeBoer said about facing ‘great’ Indiana team with ‘swagger’ in Rose Bowl


Kalen DeBoer described Indiana as “a great football team.”

The Alabama coach was effusive in his praise of the Hoosiers and their leader.

“Coach Cignetti, just what he’s done is amazing here these last two years, just building the program as quickly as he’s done to the level it’s at,” DeBoer said. “Really looking forward to us diving back into our process here the next 10 days or so, just getting back to work.

No. 9 Alabama will face No. 1 Indiana in the Rose Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 1 (3 p.m. CT, ESPN). The winner of that matchup will advance to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, set to take part in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9.

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Simply put, the Crimson Tide will have its hands full. On offense, the Hoosiers led the nation in third-down conversions and rank third in scoring offense.

Indiana also owns the nation’s No. 10 rushing offense, averaging 221.2 yards per game. Roman Hemby (918 yards, six touchdowns) and Kaelon Black (799 yards, seven touchdowns) are the top two running backs.

“Still diving into it, but I think the thing that jumps out at me, with the first glance here the last day or so, is how well they work together, the offensive line, in particular, and just everyone being in sync,” DeBoer said. “They’re always moving forward.”

Transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the leader of the offense as the Heisman Trophy winner. He has thrown for 33 touchdowns to six interceptions. Mendoza has also rushed for six scores this season.

“I just think with obviously Mendoza winning the Heisman, that doesn’t happen by accident,” DeBoer said. “You put a whole season of film together, of games and stringing them each and every week and you end up undefeated because a trigger man can make some plays and do his things at an extremely high level.”

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At receiver, Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt are Mendoza’s top two targets. Cooper has secured 58 passes for 804 yards and 11 touchdowns. Sarratt has caught 51 passes for 687 yards and 12 scores.

“I look at their skill around the offensive line, they just all complement each other,” DeBoer said. “They go make plays. When the opportunities are there, they get it done.”

Defensively, the Hoosiers rank second in the nation in third downs and scoring defense. Indiana’s also third in tackles for loss.

“The defense, has the tackles for losses and is physical as well,” DeBoer said.

In total, it all has led to a 13-0 season so far after Indiana went 11-2 in 2024.

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“There’s great coaching you can see to put them in spots to succeed, but also the guys, you can see they play with a swagger, with a confidence,” DeBoer said, “and as they should with the success they’ve had.”



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