Arizona
Former Alabama All-American returns to practice with Arizona Cardinals
Former Alabama All-American Jonah Williams is on his way back for the Arizona Cardinals. But another Alabama alumnus is out with the New York Jets.
The Jets released safety Jaylen Key from their practice squad on Wednesday, the same day that Williams returned to practice for the Cardinals.
Williams sustained a knee injury in Arizona’s season-opening 34-28 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 8. He’s missed seven games on injured reserve.
With Williams’ return to practice, the Cardinals have 21 days to restore him to their 53-man active roster or leave him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. Arizona already has switched Williams’ designation to “injured reserve/designated for return.”
New York released Key for the third time this season. After playing four seasons for UAB and one for Alabama, Key joined the Jets as the final pick in the NFL Draft on April 27, earning the Mr. Irrelevant title for 2024.
New York waived Key when it reduced its preseason roster to the regular-season limit on Aug. 27. But the Jets brought him back for their practice squad as soon as he cleared waivers.
New York released Key from its practice squad on Sept. 25, then signed him again on Oct. 9.
Five other players from Alabama high schools and colleges were on the NFL’s transactions report for Wednesday:
· Defensive tackle Shakel Brown (Troy) signed with the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad. Brown spent last season on injured reserve with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted rookie. This season, Brown spent the offseason, training camp and preseason with San Francisco and was with the 49ers’ practice squad for a week before being released.
· Detroit Lions defensive tackle Brodric Martin (Northridge, North Alabama) returned to practice. A 2023 third-round draft pick, Martin has spent the season on injured reserve because of a preseason knee injury.
· Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Michael Pierce (Daphne, Samford) went on injured reserve. Pierce sustained a calf injury in Sunday’s 29-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns. On Wednesday, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he did not think the injury would be season-ending. But by rule, Pierce will have to miss at least the next four games.
· Jacksonville Jaguars running back Keilan Robinson (Alabama) returned to practice. A 2024 fifth-round draft pick from Texas, Robinson has spent the season on injured reserve after sustaining a toe injury at training camp. Robinson ran for 254 yards and two touchdowns on 39 carries for the Crimson Tide in 2019 before transferring to the Longhorns.
· Outside linebacker Jamie Sheriff (South Alabama) was released from the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad. The Mississippi Beerman’s Cinderella story as an undrafted rookie this season has included going to the Carolina Panthers as a waiver claim after being cut by the Seahawks at the end of the preseason. After playing in the Panthers’ season-opener, Sheriff was waived, and he returned to Seattle as a practice-squad member. He played in the Seahawks’ Week 6 game as a practice-squad elevation.
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.
Arizona
Former Arizona State OL Max Iheanachor Talks transition to NFL
TEMPE — Former Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor took part in the school’s Pro Day on Friday in anticipation for the NFL Draft – which is being held from April 23-25.
The three-year Sun Devil spoke with media after the day concluded – discussing what the next month will entail for him, his journey into becoming a standout NFL prospect, and much more.
To watch the full media availability, view below.
Iheanachor Reveals Upcoming NFL Visits
The general consensus over the last week or two has been that Iheanachor would be more of a second round pick compared to the previous first-round notion, although revelations on Friday may refute that belief.
The talented right tackle revealed that he is set to have top-30 visits with the Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Baltimore Ravens – among other franchises – in the month leading into the draft.
Those aren’t the only potential destinations for the rapidly rising prospect, as Iheanachor has previously been linked with the San Fransisco 49ers and Detroit Lions as well. There appears to be a common theme amongst interested parties – as all of the franchises either have an aging tackle that carries an uncertain future, or has an open vacancy at right tackle at this moment.
The New England Patriots have an interest in Iheanachor that is a poorly kept secret in their own right – this was on full display when head coach Mike Vrabel worked extensively with the former JUCO player, even after group drills were finished. The Patriots own the number 31 pick in the first round.
Iheanachor’s Journey Nothing Short of Incredible
Iheanachor didn’t begin playing football until 2021, when he began his career playing at the junior college level. He eventually committed to play for Arizona State ahead of Kenny Dillingham’s first season in 2023. There were certainly questions surrounding his viability in making a transition from a lower level into the power four, but that was short-lived.
The raw prospect grew considerably as the season went on, eventually seeing real playing time later in the season. He returned in 2024 as a definitive starter and was obviously one of the most improved players on the entire roster on a year-to-year basis. He then returned in 2025 and was the best player/prospect on the entire offensive line, with figures such as taking part in 484 pass protection snaps without ceding a sack confirming the elite nature of his season.
Arizona
Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers live updates. Arizona DH back in the lineup
LOS ANGELES — After tests on his sore elbow revealed no structural damage, Pavin Smith took batting practice and was declared ready to return to the Diamondbacks’ lineup.
Smith, who was a late scratch on Opening Day, was a late addition on Day 2. He will bat fifth and serve as the designated hitter, sending Tim Tawa to the bench.
Smith is a relatively important member of the Diamondbacks lineup as a potential impact hitter against right-handed pitching. Last year, he hit .265/.361/.456 with eight homers against righties in 226 at-bats.
Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (7-3, 3.39)* vs. Dodgers RHP Emmet Sheehan (6-3, 2.82)*.
At Dodger Stadium: Nelson opened last season in the bullpen but moved into the rotation full time after RHP Corbin Burnes went down with elbow surgery. He was impressive from that point on, putting up a 3.38 ERA across 20 starts from June 1 onward. … Nelson faced the Dodgers three times (two starts) last season, giving up four runs in 13 innings with one walk and 12 strikeouts. … Nelson has solid career numbers against most Dodgers hitters, including 3B Max Muncy, who is 0 for 8 with three walks and five strikeouts. … Sheehan, 26, a sixth-round pick out of Boston College in 2021, returned from Tommy John surgery last year and performed well, logging a 2.82 ERA in 73 1/3 innings. He also logged important innings for the Dodgers out of the bullpen in the postseason. … Sheehan has never faced the Diamondbacks. … Last season, he averaged 95.6 mph with his four-seam fastball. He also threw a slider and change-up with the occasional curveball.
Coming up
Saturday, March 28: At Los Angeles, 6:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (9-9, 5.02)* vs. Dodgers RHP Tyler Glasnow (4-3, 3.19)*.
Sunday, March 29: Off.
Monday, March 30: At Chase Field, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Michael Soroka (3-8, 4.52)* vs. Tigers RHP Justin Verlander (4-11, 3.85)*.
Tuesday, March 31: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (13-9, 5.25)* vs. Tigers RHP Casey Mize (14-6, 3.87)*.
* — stats from 2025.
(This story will be updated. Check back soon.)
Arizona
Make-A-Wish Arizona creates sea turtle adventure for San Tan Valley boy
Boats, beaches, and buckets of fun! Just the way you’d expect a boy to spend his Florida vacation!
But there was something else 11-year-old Miles Boyd got to do last year when he and his family traveled to Florida. It was a sea turtle adventure that truly became the trip of a lifetime.
“I had never been to the ocean before,” explained Miles. “So see that just wowed me. It was amazing!”
Miles and his family also got to see baby sea turtles on the beach at night.
“The ocean is so mysterious,” says Miles. “It’s such a big place, and the fact that these turtles can move but are so tiny and when they go in the ocean, they get to hundreds of pounds.”
In so many ways, the trip to Palm Beach County, Florida, was a dream vacation for Miles and his family, but it only came after what was a living nightmare.
“I couldn’t imagine losing him,” says Miles’ mom, Natasha.
It was the harsh reality that Natasha had to face after learning her son Miles had a cancerous brain tumor.
“The world just stopped,” Natasha says about the moment she found out the devastating news. “I just sat on the floor and cried.”
Even Miles admits he was scared.
“I’m just a kid, you know what I mean?” he says. “It’s a lot to handle all at once.”
After three brain surgeries, countless hours of therapy and rehab, and having to take a chemo medication twice daily, Miles proved to the world he is a true survivor!
And his trip to Florida, through Make-A-Wish Arizona, proved to be the medication he never knew he needed.
Miles explains that the trip motivated him to keep going.
“It showed me that I made it to this car, and I can keep going,” he says. “I started at the lowest of lows, and now, I’m on a beach – it just gave me confidence and motivated me that I could keep going.”
Last year alone, Make-A-Wish Arizona granted 476 wishes; they’ve also fulfilled more than 8,500 since being founded in 1980.
Across the Globe, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 650,000 wishes since 1980
Miles and Nick Ciletti will co-host Make-A-Wish Arizona’s Wish Ball on Saturday! To learn more about Make-A-Wish Arizona, click here.
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