Cleveland Browns cornerback Tony Brown and Dallas Cowboys defensive end Carl Lawson have been in the NFL for six and seven seasons, respectively. But neither of the rivals from the 2015 and 2016 Iron Bowls and teammates on the 2020 Cincinnati Bengals has played this season.
That could change on Sunday. On Saturday, they were elevated by their teams from the practice squad to active status.
Each NFL team can elevate two practice-squad members to active status for each game. After the game, elevated players revert to the practice squad.
The Browns play the New York Giants at noon CDT Sunday at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland. The Cowboys play the Baltimore Ravens at 3:25 p.m. at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Each player will be making his debut in a new uniform. Alabama’s Brown has played for the Green Bay Packers, Bengals and Indianapolis Colts. Auburn’s Lawson has played for the Bengals and New York Jets.
Chicago Bears defensive tackle Byron Cowart (Alabama) also was a practice-squad elevation on Saturday. Cowart already has played once in 2024 with that designation. He played 12 defensive snaps in the Bears’ 24-17 season-opening victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 8.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Grant DuBose (Park Crossing, Miles) will miss at the least next four games after being placed on injured reserve on Saturday because of a shoulder injury.
A waiver claim after being cut by the Green Bay Packers at the end of the preseason, DuBose played 39 offensive snaps and had one reception in Miami’s first two games this season.
One player with Alabama football roots returned to an NFL roster on Saturday. The Browns signed linebacker Nathaniel Watson (Maplesville) for their practice squad after releasing him from the active roster on Thursday. A sixth-round rookie, Watson was on the field for 33 special-teams plays in the first two games of the season.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
