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Saturday night NFL: Rookie from Alabama scores in debut with Bengals

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Saturday night NFL: Rookie from Alabama scores in debut with Bengals


Rookie wide receiver Jermaine Burton opened his pro career with three receptions for 82 yards and one touchdown in the Cincinnati Bengals’ 17-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFL preseason game on Saturday night.

Burton joined Cincinnati from Alabama in the third round of the NFL Draft on April 26.

Burton caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Logan Woodside as the Bengals took a 14-10 lead with 3:33 to play.

Burton had a 38-yard reception on the Cincinnati offense’s next snap after Tampa Bay scored a touchdown with 57 seconds remaining. The reception put the Bengals at the Bucs 24-yard line with 41 seconds left, but Cincinnati was stopped on downs.

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In the NFL’s other preseason games on Saturday night:

· Tennessee linebacker Chance Campbell intercepted San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joshua Dobbs at the Titans 1-yard line on the final snap of the game to preserve a 17-13 victory.

· Los Angeles gained only 198 yards, with the Chargers quarterbacks completing 14-of-32 passes for 133 yards with no touchdowns and one interception, in a 16-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

· No. 1 quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Trevor Lawrence of Jacksonville started the preseason opener, with Mahomes producing a field goal and Lawrence a touchdown to begin the Jaguars’ 26-13 victory over the Chiefs. Jacksonville produced 166 yards on four kickoff returns by four players.

· Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler answered Arizona’s touchdown with 1:55 to play by directing a drive that ended on Charlie Smyth’s 37-yard field goal with five seconds to play as the New Orleans Saints beat the Cardinals 16-14.

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During the NFL’s five Sunday night preseason games, 56 players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field:

Cincinnati Bengals safety Jordan Battle and Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Chris Braswell talk after an NFL preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.(AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17, Cincinnati Bengals 14

· Buccaneers defensive lineman Marcus Banks (Alabama) made four tackles.

· Bengals safety Jordan Battle (Alabama) made five tackles on defense and one tackle on special teams.

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· Bengals defensive tackle Travis Bell (Jeff Davis) did not record any stats.

· Chris Braswell (Alabama) started at outside linebacker for the Buccaneers. Braswell made one tackle on special teams in his pro debut. He joined Tampa Bay in the second round of the NFL Draft on April 26.

· K.J. Britt (Oxford, Auburn) started at linebacker for the Buccaneers. Britt made one tackle.

· Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton (Alabama) had three receptions for 82 yards and one touchdown in his pro debut. Burton caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Logan Woodside as the Bengals took a 14-10 lead with 3:33 to play.

· Buccaneers tight end Sal Cannella (Auburn) did not record any stats.

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· Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean (Auburn) did not play.

· Bengals cornerback Allan George (Andalusia) did not record any stats.

· Buccaneers cornerback Keenan Isaac (Midfield, Alabama State) intercepted a deep pass by Cincinnati quarterback Jake Browning at the Tampa Bay 15-yard line in the second quarter.

· Bengals wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (Hoover, Auburn) had a 3-yard reception.

· Bengals defensive tackle Cedric Johnson (Davidson) made four tackles, recorded one sack and registered two quarterback hits in his pro debut. Johnson joined Cincinnati in the sixth round of the NFL Draft on April 27. He also played against his brother on Saturday night. Cephus Johnson III is a wide receiver for Tampa Bay.

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· Buccaneers wide receiver Cephus Johnson III (Davidson, South Alabama) did not record any stats.

· Buccaneers guard Avery Jones (Auburn) did not record any stats.

· Bengals kicker Evan McPherson (Fort Payne) kicked two extra points, but his 58-yard field-goal attempt on the last snap of the first half went wide right.

· Cam Taylor-Britt (Park Crossing) started at cornerback for the Bengals. Taylor-Britt did not record any stats.

· Buccaneers running back D.J. Williams (Auburn) gained 29 yards on 10 rushing attempts and had a 6-yard reception in his pro debut. Williams signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted rookie.

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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones passes during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones passes during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.(AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Jacksonville Jaguars 26, Kansas City Chiefs 13

· Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (Auburn) ran for 28 yards on three carries, caught a pass that lost 1 yard and returned a kickoff 45 yards.

· Jaguars defensive end DJ Coleman (Jacksonville State) made two tackles and recorded two quarterback hits.

· Chiefs defensive end Neil Farrell Jr. (Murphy) made one tackle.

· Josh Hines-Allen (Abbeville) started at defensive end for the Jaguars. Hines-Allen did not record any stats.

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· Jaguars cornerback Mac Jones (Alabama) completed 9-of-11 passes for 98 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Jones played the second half, when the Jacksonville offense produced two field goals on three full possessions.

· Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun (Samford) completed 7-of-10 passes for 85 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions and ran twice for 10 yards. Oladokun played two possessions, with one ending with a touchdown.

· Cam Robinson (Alabama) started at left offensive tackle for the Jaguars.

· Jaguars running back Keilan Robinson (Alabama) did not play.

· Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross (Central-Phenix City) had a 23-yard reception.

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· Chiefs tight end Irv Smith Jr. (Alabama) had an 8-yard reception.

· Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas (Lee-Montgomery, Auburn) made three tackles and recorded one tackle for loss.

· Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney (Blount) did not play.

· Chiefs wide receiver Montrell Washington (Samford) caught two passes for 14 yards and returned a kickoff 32 yards.

· Jaguars offensive lineman Darryl Williams (Bessemer City) did not record any stats.

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· Jaguars wide receiver Seth Williams (Paul Bryant, Auburn) had two receptions for 15 yards.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis passes during an NFL preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis passes during an NFL preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.(AP Photo/John Amis)

Tennessee Titans 17, San Francisco 49ers 13

· Forty-Niners defensive tackle Shakel Brown (Troy) made one tackle and broke up one pass.

· Titans defensive back Shyheim Carter (Alabama) made two tackles.

· Marlon Davidson (Greenville, Auburn) started at defensive tackle for the Titans. Davidson made three tackles.

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· Titans defensive back Eric Garror (McGill-Toolen) made two tackles.

· Chris Hubbard (UAB) started at left offensive tackle for the 49ers.

· J.C. Latham (Alabama) started at left offensive tackle for the Titans in his pro debut. Latham joined Tennessee as the seventh selection in the NFL Draft on April 25.

· Forty-Niners tight end Cameron Latu (Alabama) had two receptions for 12 yards. Latu is coming back from missing his rookie season after he sustained a knee injury in San Francisco’s preseason finale in 2023.

· Forty-Niners cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. (South Alabama) did not play.

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· Roger McCreary (Williamson, Auburn) started at cornerback for the Titans. McCreary made one tackle.

· Calvin Ridley (Alabama) started at wide receiver for the Titans. Ridley had a 22-yard reception.

· Titans offensive lineman Lachavious Simmons (Selma) did not record any stats.

· Titans quarterback Malik Willis (Auburn) completed 5-of-7 passes for 38 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions and ran for 42 yards on four carries. Willis had a 28-yard run to set up a field goal.

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff helps bring down Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Max Duggan during an NFL preseason game

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff helps bring down Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Max Duggan during an NFL preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Seattle Seahawks 16, Los Angeles Chargers 3

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· Chargers center Bradley Bozeman (Handley, Alabama) did not play.

· Chargers defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (Alabama) made one tackle in his pro debut. Eboigbe joined Los Angeles in the fourth round of the NFL Draft on April 27.

· A.J. Finley (St. Paul’s Episcopal) started at safety for the Chargers. Finley made six tackles and broke up one pass.

· Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (Auburn) tied for the team lead with five tackles and recorded one sack.

· Chargers long snapper Josh Harris (Auburn) handled the snaps on eight punts and one field goal.

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· Seahawks cornerback Mike Jackson (Spain Park) did not play.

· Seahawks cornerback DJ James (Spanish Fort, Auburn) broke up a pass in his pro debut. James joined Seattle in the sixth round of the NFL Draft on April 27.

· Seahawks nose tackle Buddha Jones (Troy) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.

· Chargers offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood (Alabama) did not record any stats.

· Chargers linebacker Shane Lee (Alabama) made five tackles on defense, registered one tackle for loss and recorded one tackle on special teams in his pro debut. Lee signed with Los Angeles as an undrafted rookie.

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· Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (Jackson, Auburn) made two tackles in his pro debut. Pritchett joined Seattle in the fifth round of the NFL Draft on April 27.

· Jarran Reed (Alabama) started at nose tackle on the Seahawks. Reed made one tackle.

· Chargers punter JK Scott (Alabama) averaged 44.5 yards on eight punts, with a 43.1-yard net.

· Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (South Alabama) made one tackle and registered one quarterback hit in his pro debut. Sheriff signed with Seattle as an undrafted rookie.

· Chargers linebacker Kimani Vidal (Troy) did not play.

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Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V covers New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave during an NFL preseason game

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V covers New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave during an NFL preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

New Orleans Saints 16, Arizona Cardinals 14

· Saints offensive tackle Chandler Brewer (Florence) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.

· Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry (Pinson Valley, Alabama) started at cornerback for the Saints. McKinstry made three tackles and broke up one pass in his pro debut. McKinstry joined New Orleans in the second round of the NFL Draft on April 26.

· Cardinals wide receiver Tejhaun Palmer (UAB) had a 13-yard reception in his pro debut. Palmer joined Arizona in the sixth round of the NFL Draft on April 27.

· Owen Pappoe (Auburn) started at inside linebacker for the Cardinals. Pappoe made three tackles on defense and one tackle on special teams.

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· Saints linebacker Monty Rice (James Clemens) led New Orleans with seven tackles.

· Starling Thomas V (Ramsay, UAB) started at cornerback for the Cardinals. Thomas broke up one pass.

· Cardinals offensive tackle Jonah Williams (Alabama) did not play.

· Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson (Carver-Montgomery, Alabama) did not play.

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

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





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Tuberville officially files for 2026 Alabama governor’s race

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Tuberville officially files for 2026 Alabama governor’s race


HOOVER, Ala. (WSFA) – Senator Tommy Tuberville officially filed the paperwork to run for governor at the Alabama Republican Party Headquarters in Hoover Monday morning.

“I want to make the lives of the people of this state better,” said Sen. Tuberville. “If I thought that staying in the U.S. Senate would be best for Alabama, I would’ve stayed. but I think the best thing for Alabama is for me to come back.”

He talked about the need to grow Alabama’s economy, with attracting manufacturers being a primary focus. Sen. Tuberville said that to do that, he would focus on improving the state’s infrastructure and making the state’s education and workforce systems more attractive to new residents.

When asked about cutting waste, fraud and abuse, a focus of his time in Washington, D.C., alongside President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, Sen. Tuberville said, he expects to make changes if elected governor.

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“You have a lot of different agencies here, we want to make them all better,” he said. “We also want to make sure that we save the taxpayers’ money, that we use it wisely and we give it back to them.”

The former Auburn football coach said he did not expect to go into politics, but now, he is ready to transition from national to state politics.

“It’s time to come home, put together a staff and worry about the state of Alabama and the people here,” he said.

According to Alabama’s constitution, someone running for governor has to have lived in the state for at least seven years. Some have questioned whether Sen. Tuberville fits that requirement. He said during the candidacy filing that the Republican Party of Alabama says he does fulfill the requirement.

The filing deadline for candidates to qualify for a major political party is Jan. 23.

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Alabama’s Democratic primary has the following candidates:

  1. Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones
  2. Dr. Will Boyd – businessman and engineer
  3. JaMel Brown – pastor and talk show host
  4. Chad ‘Chig’ Martin – businessowner

Alabama’s Republican Primary has the following candidates:

  1. Sen. Tommy Tuberville
  2. Ken McFeeters – former congressional candidate

Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store!



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Who has Alabama football lost in the transfer portal so far?

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Who has Alabama football lost in the transfer portal so far?


Alabama football has already seen some of its roster clear out via the transfer portal in the days following its loss to Indiana in the Rose Bowl. The Crimson Tide will likely see more attrition in the coming days, with players allowed to enter through Jan. 16.

As of Monday morning, 15 Alabama players had entered the portal. Here’s a look at what the Crimson Tide is losing via transfer.

Cam Calhoun

The Utah transfer was a backup cornerback for the Crimson Tide this season. He played a major role on special teams but had trouble cracking the lineup on defense for Alabama.

Calhoun began his college career at Michigan

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Rico Scott

Scott was perhaps the fastest receiver on the team, but there were too many players on the depth chart ahead of him. Scott finished the year with 11 catches for 55 yards.

Keon Keeley

When he arrived in Tuscaloosa, Keeley was one of the nation’s top recruits, at the edge position. After a year with the Tide, he moved over to the more traditional defensive end spot that Kane Wommack calls the “bandit.”

Keeley finally was able to make an impact on the field this year after two season on the bench. He likely could have played an increased role with LT Overton off to the NFL, but opted to portal instead.

Wilkin Formby

Formby moved around in Alabama’s lineup during the 2025 season, his first as a full-time starter. He began the year at tackle, but wound up playing right guard as Michael Carroll took over the outside spot.

Cole Adams

Adams was the Crimson Tide’s primary punt returner. However, he didn’t have much of a role at wide receiver.

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The Oklahoma native had five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown this season.

Micah DeBose

DeBose joined Alabama as a highly touted recruit before the 2025 season. He saw action in just one game for the Crimson Tide this year, against Eastern Illinois.

Peter Notaro

The Alabama kicking game was an issue at times during the 2025 season. Notaro battled with Conor Talty for the starting job in preseason camp, but Talty eventually earned the spot.

Notaro was a five-star kicker in the 2025 recruiting class according to Kohl’s.

Noah Carter

Carter was a four-star edge recruit for the Crimson Tide ahead of the 2024 season. He redshirted that season, but got more action in 2025.

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He finished the year with nine total tackles before deciding to find greener pastures.

Olaus Alinen

Alinen was not a major part of what was an extremely large offensive line rotation this season. The member of Alabama’s 2023 recruiting class earned the most praise from coaches due to his versatility, with the native of Finland able to play both guard and tackle.

Jalen Hale

Hale was a contributor at receiver in 2023, before a major leg injury cost him the 2024 campaign. He returned in 2025, but wasn’t able to get significant playing time at receiver given the amount of talent ahead of him.

Joseph Ionata

Ionata was listed as Alabama’s backup center during the 2025 season. However, when it came down to it, Geno VanDeMark slid to the spot if Parker Brailsford needed to leave the field.

The redshirt freshman did see some playing time on special teams.

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Jaylen Mbakwe

Mbakwe joined Alabama as a five-star prospect in the 2024 class and proceeded to have an interesting career in Tuscaloosa. He spent most of 2024 as a defensive back, before deciding to enter the transfer portal, then backing out and switching to wide receiver before the ReliaQuest Bowl.

He stuck at wideout for 2025, without seeing major playing time at that position.



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A major overhaul ahead for the Alabama Crimson Tide offensive line

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A major overhaul ahead for the Alabama Crimson Tide offensive line


The first phase of good news for the Alabama Crimson Tide is happening. While indications are the two best Alabama offensive linemen will move to the NFL, there are eight other (and counting) offensive linemen who not return for the 2026 season. Three are out of eligibility: Jaeden Roberts, Kam Dewberry, and Geno Van DeMark. Five more are portal entries: Micah DeBose, Joe Ionata, Olaus Alinen, Roq Montgomery, and Wilkin Formby.

Why is the attrition good news? There are two reasons. Kalen DeBoer’s offensive lines have needed skill sets in short supply the last two seasons. His offense needs agile, quick-footed offensive linemen. Not many Alabama football fans will disagree, but for those who do, when two late-season games (Georgia and Indiana) are lost by a combined 56 points, a major overhaul is required.

For an offensive line overhaul, the Crimson Tide needed to free up roster slots, to improve talent, and reallocate money. The count of returning offensive linemen (as of late afternoon on Jan. 4) is six: Mike Carroll, Casey Poe, Jackson Lloyd, Mal Waldrep, Red Sanders, and Arkel Anugwon. In addition, the 2026 class added five more: Tyrell Miller (JUCO), Jared Doughty, Chris Booker, Bear Fretwell, and Bryson Cooley

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Next for the Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama could get lucky and have Parker Brailsford decide to play another season of college ball. Assuming that luck will not occur, three or four offensive linemen need to be added through the Portal. At least two of them need to be tabbed as near-locks to start in next fall’s season opener.

So far, the only target known publicly is Texas State center, Brock Riker. New targets are expected to surface soon, some of whom may not be in the portal yet. According to Yahoo Sports, Riker has been targeted by at least nine Power Four programs, with more offers expected soon.

The large number of transfer exits may be an indication that offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic will also move on. Many Alabama football fans are looking forward to DeBoer bringing in a new OL coach.

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