The 2024 NFL season is here and the league is once again filled with former Alabama players. The Crimson Tide had 10 players signed to the NFL in 2024 and has the highest player population in the league with 61 currently on active rosters.
Each week, Tide Illustrated will feature the best performances of former Crimson Tide players in the NFL as well as a round-up of all former Alabama players in the pros.
Week 7 saw Alabama’s former running backs dominate. Derrick Henry continued his spectacular first season with the Baltimore Ravens, helping them to a 41-31 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football. Henry finished with 15 carries for 169 yards. He has now rushed for over 150 yards in three games for Baltimore and continues to be one of the most dominant backs in the league. He also finished Sunday’s game with a catch for 13 yards and a touchdown.
Former Alabama running back Najee Harris also had an explosive game on the ground in Week 7. Harris totaled over 100 yards rushing for the second week in a row as he rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 37–15 victory over the New York Jets.
Running backs Josh Jacobs and Brian Robinson also had solid outings on Sunday. Jacobs rushed for 76 yards and scored his first career touchdown as a professional for the Green Bay Packers, who defeated the Houston Texans. Robinson had 12 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown in the Washington Commanders’ 40-7 win over the Carolina Panthers.
Former Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper scored his first touchdown as a member of the Buffalo Bills in their 34-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans. Cooper was traded to the Bills earlier this week after spending the last two seasons with the Cleveland Browns.
On the other side of the ball, Packers safety Xavier McKinney had a solid outing with six tackles, including one for loss, a sack and a quarterback hit. Levi Wallace had eight tackles for the Denver Broncos in their win over the New Orleans Saints and Josh Jobe was elevated to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad this week and recorded six tackles and two breakouts pass during Seattle’s victory against the Atlanta Falcons.
In a crucial 31-29 win over their division rivals the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs surpassed the 100 rushing yard mark for the first time this 2024 season.
Against a run-of-the-mill Minnesota defense that had allowed just 67.2 rushing yards per game through Week 7, Gibbs totaled 116 on the ground while reaching the end zone twice. The former Georgia Tech transfer and Alabama running back also added 44 yards on four aerial receptions.
Gibbs wowed on a 45-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, bursting through the hole and breaking the ankles of Viking safety Cameron Bynum in the open field. Gibbs finished the run by trotting into the end zone with another former Alabama player, Jameson Williams, delivering the final block, who was next to Gibbs celebrating the score.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Gibbs finished Week 7 with 2.6 rushing yards above expectations, third in the NFL behind Saquon Barkley (5.44) and fellow former NFL running back Alabama Derrick Henry (7.65). Gibbs also forced nine missed tackles, according to Pro Football Focus.
The 2023 top 15 pick has developed into one of the most exciting young players in the NFL. He recently earned the nickname “Sonic” alongside his backfield partner, David Montgomery, nicknamed “Knuckles.”
The Lions are now the only seed in the NFC with a 5-1 record. With Jameson Williams facing a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, Gibbs could have the opportunity to play an even bigger role in Detroit’s offense.
After an 0-2 start, the Baltimore Ravens appear to be a heavyweight Super Bowl contender. They won five straight games, holding a 5-2 record, and defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a score of 41-31 in Week 7, with Alabama alumnus Marlon Humphrey throwing two interceptions.
Humphrey’s first interception was a game changer for Baltimore. Midway through the quarter, with a 10-7 lead, Tampa Bay moved into the Ravens’ red zone. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield had ample time in the pocket and targeted rookie receiver Jalen McMillan in the flat. Humphrey stood between the quarterback and wide receiver and scooped the ball out of the air to force the handoff. The Ravens would score, taking their first lead of the night.
On the ensuing drive, Mayfield targeted wide receiver Chris Godwin on a 3rd-and-13, looking to extend the drive. Humphrey jumped in the air, adding his second interception in as many drives and giving the ball back to the Ravens offense as they went to score, extending their lead. Unfortunately for Humphrey, he would injure his knee on the same play and would not return for the remainder of the evening.
Despite the injury, Humphrey’s first half was nothing short of outstanding. The Ravens’ star cornerback didn’t allow a single reception besides the two takeaways.
Humphery had an exceptional 2024 season. In eight years in the NFL, the 28-year-old has already recorded a career-high four interceptions this season, re-emerging as one of the best cornerbacks in the league.
Here’s how other former Alabama players fared last week.
Arizona Cardinals
LB Mack Wilson: 3 tackles against the Chargers.
Atlanta Falcons
RB Jase McClellan: 5 carries for 17 yards against the Seahawks.
Baltimore Ravens
RB Derrick Henry: 15 carries for 169 yards, 1 catch for 13 yards, 1 touchdown against the Buccaneers.
CB Marlon Humphrey: 2 tackles, 2 pass deflections, 2 interceptions.
CB Eddie Jackson: 8 tackles.
Buffalo Bills
WR Amari Cooper: 4 catches for 66 yards, 1 touchdown against the Titans.
Carolina Panthers
DT A’Shawn Robinson: Inactive against Commanders.
QB Bryce Young: 2 of 2 for -4 yards.
DE LaBryan Ray: 4 tackles.
Cincinnati Bengals
S Jordan Battle: 3 tackles, 1 pass deflection against the Browns.
WR Jermain Burton: Played 3 snaps at wide receiver.
Cleveland Browns
WR Jerry Jeudy: 1 catch for 18 yards against the Bengals.
RB Jerome Ford: Inactive.
LT Jedrick Wills Jr.: Started at tackle, played 84 snaps on offense.
DT Dalvin Tomlinson: 2 tackles, 1 for loss.
CB Tony Brown: 1 tackle.
Denver Broncos
CB Levi Wallace: 8 tackles against the Saints.
CB Patrick Surtain II: Active, no statistics.
Lions of Detriot
RB Jahmyr Gibbs: 15 carries for 116 yards, 2 touchdowns, 4 catches for 44 yards against the Vikings.
WR Jameson Williams: 1 catch for -4 yards.
S Brian Branch: 4 tackles, 2 pass deflections, 1 interception (no return).
CB Terrion Arnold: 2 tackles.
Green Bay Packers
RB Josh Jacobs: 12 carries for 76 yards, 5 catches for 16 yards, 1 touchdown against the Texans.
S Xavier McKinney: 6 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit.
Houston Texans
WR John Metchie: Played 23 snaps on offense against the Packers.
DE Will Anderson Jr.: 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit.
LB Henry To’o To’o: Inactive.
Indianapolis Colts
DT Raekwon Davis: Played 25 snaps on defense against the Dolphins.
OL Ryan Kelly: Started at center, played 62 snaps on offense.
Jacksonville Jaguars
OL Cam Robinson: Started at tackle against the Patriots.
QB Mac Jones: Did not play.
Los Angeles Chargers
OL Bradley Bozeman: Active, no statistics against the Cardinals.
P JK Scott: 2 punts for 75 yards with an average of 37.5 and a long of 39.
DE Justin Eboigbe: Active, no stats.
Miami Dolphins
WR Jaylen Waddle: 1 catch for 11 yards against the Colts.
RG Lester Cotton: Played 3 snaps on special teams.
DT Da’Shawn Hand: 3 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 quarterback hit.
Minnesota Vikings
K Will Reichard: 3 of 3 on field goal attempts and 2 of 2 on extra points against the Lions.
LB Dallas Turner: Played 4 snaps on defense.
New England Patriots
LB Anfernee Jennings: 7 tackles, 1 for loss against the Jaguars.
New Orleans Saints
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry: 3 tackles against the Broncos.
New York Giants
OL Evan Neal: Did not play against the Eagles.
New York Jets
DT Quinnen Williams: 1 tackle, 1 quarterback hit vs. Steelers.
LB CJ Mosley: 4 tackles.
Philadelphia Eagles
QB Jalen Hurts: 10 of 14 for 114 yards, 1 touchdown, 7 carries for 22 yards, 2 touchdowns, sacked 4 times for 36 yards against the Giants.
WR DeVonta Smith: 1 catch for -2 yards.
LG Landon Dickerson: Started at guard, played 54 snaps on offense.
RG Tyler Steen: Played 51 snaps on offense.
CB Eli Ricks: Inactive.
DE Byron Young: Inactive.
Pittsburgh Steelers
RB Najee Harris: 21 carries for 102 yards, 1 touchdown against the Jets.
S Minkah Fitzpatrick: 4 tackles.
Seattle Seahawks
DT Jarran Reed: 4 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 quarterback hit vs. Falcons.
CB Josh Jobe: 6 tackles, 2 pass deflections.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
LB Chris Braswell: 1 tackle against the Ravens.
Tennessee Titans
WR Calvin Ridley: 3 catches for 42 yards against the Bills.
OL JC Latham: Started at tackle, played 73 snaps.
Washington Commanders
RB Brian Robinson Jr.: 12 carries for 71 yards, 1 touchdown against the Panthers.
DT Daron Payne: 3 tackles.
DT Phidarian Mathis: Played 19 snaps on defense.
The tide goodbye
Dallas Cowboys: CB Trevon Diggs.
Practice squad players
Bills — S Kareem Jackson
Browns — TE Cameron Latu
Chargers — OL Alex Leatherwood
Colts – DB Ronnie Harrison
Jets – Key DB Jaylen
Falcons – LB Rashaan Evans
Rams — TE Miller Forristall
Ravens — OL Darrian Dalcourt
Steelers – CB Anthony Averett
Texans – TE Irv Smith Jr.
IR/Suspension
Cardinals OL Jonah Williams — Placed on IR on September 11 due to knee injury.
Commanders DT Jonathan Allen — Placed on IR on October 16 due to pectoral injury.
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa – Placed on IR on September 17 after concussion.
Falcons S DeMarco Hellams – Placed on IR on August 27 due to ankle injury.
Patriots DT Christian Barmore — Placed on reserve/non-injured list on Aug. 27 while treated for blood clots.
Texans LB Christian Harris – Placed on IR on August 27 due to calf injury. Designated to return.
