4 players with Alabama football roots took snaps and two more scored touchdowns during Saturday’s NFL preseason games.
Nick Mullens (Spain Park) and Jarrett Stidham (Auburn) for the Las Vegas Raiders, Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama) for the Miami Dolphins and Malik Willis (Auburn) for the Tennessee Titans played quarterback, although only Willis threw a touchdown pass on Saturday.
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Buffalo Bills tight end O.J. Howard (Autauga Academy, Alabama) and Washington Commanders wide receiver Cam Sims (Alabama) caught touchdown passes in Saturday’s games, which included:
· The Buffalo Bills offense rolled up 510 yards and faced third down only 3 times in a 42-15 victory over the Denver Broncos. Three Buffalo quarterbacks accomplished 26-of-29 passes for 302 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
· Indianapolis bypassed going for the fifth tie of the sport after scoring with 38 seconds to play, however the Colts couldn’t convert on a 2-point pass and lost to the Detroit Lions 27-26.
· Patrick Mahomes produced touchdown passes on each his series because the Kansas City quarterback within the Chiefs’ 24-14 victory over the Washington Commanders.
· Within the battle for Pittsburgh’s QB job, Mason Rudolph led a six-play, 52-yard drive that ended with a touchdown with 1:56 to play to lift the Steelers to a 16-15 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville missed a 57-yard field-goal attempt on the ultimate snap of the sport.
· Las Vegas’ Daniel Carlson made a 31-yard field goal with 4:38 to play and Miami’s Jason Sanders hit the left upright on a 46-yard field-goal attempt with 1:34 left within the Raiders’ 15-13 victory over the Dolphins.
· The Minnesota Vikings’ offense had three turnovers and only 195 yards in a 17-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
· The Tennessee Titans smothered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13-3. Although the Tennessee offense had 255 yards and one turnover, that was 81 more yards and one fewer turnover than the Bucs had.
· The USFL MVP earlier this yr, wide receiver KaVontae Turpin returned a kickoff 98 yards and a punt 86 yards for touchdowns within the Dallas Cowboys’ 32-18 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Fifty-eight players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the sphere during NFL preseason games on Saturday:
Denver Broncos wide receiver Seth Williams holds on to the football for a reception during an NFL preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.(Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills 42, Denver Broncos 15
· Broncos linebacker Christopher Allen (Alabama) is on injured reserve and never eligible to play.
· Bills tight end O.J. Howard (Autauga Academy, Alabama) had three receptions for 16 yards and one touchdown. Howard caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Case Keenum as Buffalo took a 28-6 lead with 13 seconds left in the primary half.
· Broncos safety Kareem Jackson (Alabama) didn’t play.
· Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (Alabama) didn’t play.
· Bills cornerback Siran Neal (Eufaula, Jacksonville State) didn’t play.
· Malik Reed (Dothan) began at left outside linebacker for the Broncos.
· Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II (Alabama) didn’t play.
· Bills safety Josh Thomas (Montgomery Academy) made one tackle on defense and two on special teams.
· Broncos punter Corliss Waitman (South Alabama) had punts of 63 yards, which resulted in a touchback, and 41 yards, which resulted in a good catch on the Buffalo 20-yard line.
· Montrell Washington (Samford) began at wide receiver for the Broncos. Washington caught two passes for 25 yards and returned two kickoffs for 55 yards.
· Broncos wide receiver Seth Williams (Paul Bryant, Auburn) caught two passes for 8 yards.
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Tony Brown runs with the football after making an interception during an NFL preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.(AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Detroit Lions 27, Indianapolis Colts 26
· Tony Brown (Alabama) began at cornerback for the Colts. Brown made six tackles, including one behind the road of scrimmage, intercepted a pass and broke up two more. Brown has never intercepted a pass in 33 NFL regular-season games, but he caught a deflection of a pass thrown by Detroit quarterback David Blough and returned it 28 yards to the Lions 21-yard line with 7:18 left in the primary half. Indianapolis converted the sphere position right into a field goal and a 6-6 tie.
· Isaiah Buggs (Alabama) began at defensive tackle for the Lions. Buggs made one tackle.
· Byron Cowart (Auburn) began at defensive tackle for the Colts. Cowart had one tackle.
· Lions linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton (Carver-Montgomery, Alabama) made two tackles and registered a quarterback hit.
· Colts center Ryan Kelly (Alabama) didn’t play.
· Colts linebacker Brandon King (Thompson, Auburn) played but didn’t record any stats.
· Colts offensive tackle Braden Smith (Auburn) didn’t play.
· Lions cornerback Saivion Smith (Alabama) made three tackles, including one behind the road of scrimmage, and broke up a pass on defense and made one other tackle on special teams.
· Logan Stenberg (James Clemens) began at right guard for the Lions.
· Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (Alabama) is on the non-football injury list and never eligible to play.
Washington Commanders wide receiver Cam Sims holds on to the football for a reception during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.(AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs 24, Washington Commanders 14
· Jonathan Allen (Alabama) began at defensive tackle for the Commanders.
· Chiefs running back Derrick Gore (Alabama) ran for 11 yards on five carries and caught a 1-yard pass. Gore also made a tackle on special teams.
· Commanders defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis (Alabama) played but didn’t record any stats.
· Bobby McCain (Oxford) began at safety for the Commanders. McCain made two tackles.
· Commanders running back J.D. McKissic (Central-Phenix City) didn’t play.
· Daron Payne (Shades Valley, Alabama) began at defensive tackle for the Commanders. Payne made three tackles.
· Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves (South Alabama) made 4 tackles, including one behind the road of scrimmage, on defense and made one other tackle on special teams.
· Brian Robinson Jr. (Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Alabama) began at running back for the Commanders. Robinson ran for 31 yards on eight carries.
· Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross (Central-Phenix City) is on injured reserve and never eligible to play.
· Commanders wide receiver Cam Sims (Alabama) caught two passes for 23 yards and a touchdown. Sims caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Taylor Heinicke with 16 seconds left in the primary half for Washington’s first points of the sport.
· Chiefs defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth (Murphy) made two tackles, shared a sack and registered two quarterback hits.
· Chiefs offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho (Edgewood Academy, Auburn) played but didn’t record any stats.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nick Mullens passes during an NFL preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Las Vegas Raiders 15, Miami Dolphins 13
· Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (Homewood) didn’t play.
· Anthony Averett (Alabama) began at cornerback for the Raiders. Averett made two tackles.
· Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (Auburn) made a 37-yard field goal as Las Vegas went up 12-6 with 7:37 left within the third quarter and a 31-yard field goal to set the ultimate rating with 4:38 left in the sport. Carlson also connected on his only extra-point kick.
· Lester Cotton (Central-Tuscaloosa, Alabama) began at right guard for the Raiders.
· Raekwon Davis (Alabama) began at nose tackle for the Dolphins. Davis made two tackles and knocked down a pass.
· Raiders running back Kenyan Drake (Alabama) ran for six yards on three carries and caught three passes for 10 yards.
· Raiders defensive lineman Neil Farrell Jr. (Murphy) made three tackles.
· Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (West Alabama) didn’t play.
· Noah Igbinoghene (Hewitt-Trussville, Auburn) began at cornerback for the Dolphins. Igbinoghene made one tackle.
· Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (Alabama) didn’t play.
· Alex Leatherwood (Alabama) began at right offensive tackle for the Raiders.
· Raiders quarterback Nick Mullens (Spain Park) accomplished 6-of-9 passes for 39 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Mullens ran the offense for 3 series, with each ending in a punt.
· Jarrett Stidham (Auburn) began at quarterback for the Raiders. Stidham accomplished 7-of-10 passes for 80 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Stidham ran the offense for 2 series, which produced a touchdown and a punt.
· Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama) began at quarterback for the Dolphins. Tagovailoa accomplished 6-of-8 passes for 58 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Tagovailoa ran the offense for 2 series, which ended with a punt and a field goal.
· Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (Alabama) didn’t play.
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Allen grabs Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky during an NFL preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Jacksonville Jaguars 15
· Steelers defensive tackle Montravius Adams (Auburn) didn’t play.
· Josh Allen (Abbeville) began at defensive end for the Jaguars. Allen made one tackle.
· Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) began at safety for the Steelers.
· Jaguars safety Rudy Ford (Latest Hope, Auburn) made one tackle.
· Steelers running back Najee Harris (Alabama) didn’t play.
· Steelers center J.C. Hassenauer (Alabama) played but didn’t record any stats.
· George Pickens (Hoover) began at wide receiver for the Steelers. Pickens had two receptions for six yards.
· Jaguars tight end Gerrit Prince (UAB) caught a 4-yard pass.
· Cam Robinson (Alabama) began at left offensive tackle for the Jaguars.
· Steelers offensive lineman Trent Scott (Lee-Huntsville) played but didn’t record any stats.
· Jaguars defensive end Jordan Smith (UAB) is on injured reserve and never eligible to play.
· Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas (Lee-Montgomery, Auburn) made three tackles on defense and one on special teams.
· Levi Wallace (Alabama) began at cornerback for the Steelers. Wallace made three tackles.
· Jaguars cornerback Darious Williams (UAB) didn’t play.
· Jaguars offensive lineman Darryl Williams (Bessemer City) played but didn’t record any stats.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Myron Mitchell runs a pass pattern during an NFL preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.(Photo by Adam Bettcher/ Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers 17, Minnesota Vikings 7
· Forty-Niners tight end Jordan Matthews (Madison Academy) is on injured reserve and never eligible to play.
· Vikings wide receiver Myron Mitchell (Jasper, UAB) was targeted twice but didn’t have a reception.
· Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. (Alabama) didn’t play.
· Viking outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith (Greenville) didn’t play.
· Vikings defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson (Alabama) didn’t play.
· Forty-Niners safety Jimmie Ward (Davidson) didn’t play.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis runs with the football during an NFL preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.(AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee Titans 13, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3
· K.J. Britt (Oxford, Auburn) began at inside linebacker for the Buccaneers. Britt made three tackles.
· Titans safety Shyheim Carter (Alabama) didn’t play.
· Titans linebacker Zach Cunningham (Pinson Valley) didn’t play.
· Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis (Auburn) didn’t play.
· Jamel Dean (Auburn) began at cornerback for the Buccaneers. Dean made one tackle.
· Titans defensive end Da’Shawn Hand (Alabama) had two tackles – a sack and a tackle for loss.
· Titans running back Derrick Henry (Alabama) didn’t play.
· Titans center Ben Jones (Bibb County) didn’t play.
· Buccaneers wide receiver Julio Jones (Alabama) didn’t play.
· Roger McCreary (Williamson, Auburn) began at cornerback for the Titans. McCreary made a tackle on special teams.
· Titans linebacker Monty Rice (James Clemens) didn’t play.
· Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Central-Phenix City) began at defensive tackle for the Buccaneers.
· Buccaneers safety Nolan Turner (Vestavia Hills) made a tackle on special teams.
· Malik Willis (Auburn) began at quarterback for the Titans. Willis accomplished 7-of-17 passes for 80 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions and ran for a team-leading 42 yards on five carries. Willis played the primary half, when Tennessee did all its scoring, and the primary series of the third quarter. Willis threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Chig Okonkwo with 26 seconds left in the primary half.
Los Angeles Chargers punter JK Scott chases Dallas Cowboys wide reciver KaVontae Turpin during an NFL preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.(AP Photo/Ashley Landis )
Dallas Cowboys 32, Los Angeles Chargers 18
· Cowboys defensive tackle Big Kat Bryant (Auburn) recorded a sack and knocked down a pass.
· Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (Alabama) didn’t play.
· Chargers tight end Gerald Everett (UAB/South Alabama) didn’t play.
· Chargers long snapper Josh Harris (Auburn) handled the snapping for five punts, one field goal and one extra point.
· Chargers punter JK Scott (Alabama) average 45.2 yards on five punts, although he ended up with a net average of 27.0 yards because Dallas wide receiver KaVontae Turpin returned a punt 86 yards for a touchdown with 52 seconds left in the primary half.
· Jalen Tolbert (McGill-Toolen, South Alabama) began at wide receiver for the Cowboys. Tolbert caught two passes for 25 yards.
· Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams (Lee-Montgomery) made two tackles.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
