Alabama Professional Athletes

Alabama's fingerprints were all over the NFL record books in Week 1 — and both signatures belonged to running backs.

Derrick Henry Climbs the Mountain

Derrick Henry didn't ease into the 2026 season. The Ravens' bruising back carried Baltimore to a 41-23 dismantling of the Colts, rushing for 144 yards and three touchdowns while adding a catch for 19 more. The three scores weren't just good for the win — they pushed Henry past Marcus Allen into third place on the NFL's all-time rushing touchdown list, sitting at 124 career scores behind only LaDainian Tomlinson (145) and Emmitt Smith (164).

The milestone drew immediate reverence around the league. One Hall of Fame running back publicly called Henry a "modern-day Jim Brown," putting him in rarefied air before the calendar even flips to Week 2. Ravens coaches aren't pumping the brakes either — reports out of Baltimore suggest Henry could match or exceed his Week 1 workload against the Saints in Week 2.

At 32, Henry isn't just defying age — he's rewriting what's possible at it.

Gibbs Joins Jim Brown and Marcus Allen in a Single Afternoon

Meanwhile in Detroit, Jahmyr Gibbs delivered what may have been the most statistically loaded single-game performance of any Alabama back in recent memory. Gibbs carried 29 times for 156 yards and two touchdowns and added five catches for 30 yards — a 34-touch, 186-yard-from-scrimmage effort that placed him in the company of Jim Brown and Marcus Allen as one of the few backs in NFL history to reach that combined touch-and-TD threshold in a season opener.

It was a career high in carries, and Lions head coach Dan Campbell made clear afterward that he believes Gibbs can handle even more. The workload context matters: Detroit is operating without running back Isiah Pacheco, who is sidelined following surgery, making Gibbs the unquestioned centerpiece of the offense. The Lions won their opener, validating the decision to ride their star back into the ground.

Gibbs did pay a price — he was hit with the largest fine of Week 1 for a celebration after one of his touchdowns. He'll need to pick his moments more carefully, but no one in Detroit is complaining about the output.

In Week 2 against Buffalo, Gibbs stayed busy with 52 rushing yards, six catches for 61 yards, and a receiving touchdown, though the Lions dropped a 41-31 decision.

Elsewhere Around the League

The Alabama pipeline produced elsewhere in Week 1. Bryce Young (Panthers) had a striking debut in Carolina's colors — 361 passing yards, three touchdowns, one interception, and a rushing score — though it wasn't enough in a 59-37 blowout loss to Chicago. DeVonta Smith caught three passes for 53 yards in Philadelphia's narrow 24-22 win over Washington, while Jihaad Campbell chipped in a sack for the Eagles' defense. Jonathan Allen recorded a sack for Cincinnati in their 33-27 win over Tampa Bay, and Dallas Turner picked up a sack for Minnesota in a dominant 39-22 victory over Green Bay.

Landon Dickerson's week, however, ended on a sour note — the Eagles guard was placed on injured reserve after struggling in the Washington game and will miss at least the next four weeks. Minkah Fitzpatrick, now with the Jets, was also ruled out for Week 2 with an injury.

Alabama's backfield alumni are carrying the NFL right now. The record books are starting to look like a Crimson Tide roster.

Alabama's fingerprints were all over the NFL's opening week — from a quarterback controversy in Atlanta to a walk-off interception in Seattle and a veteran running back issuing a championship warning in Baltimore.

Tua's Atlanta Debut Becomes a Disaster Before Kickoff

The biggest Alabama story of Week 1 never made it to a box score. Tua Tagovailoa, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason looking for a fresh start after his Miami tenure, was ruled out for the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers after suffering an oblique injury in practice. When backup Michael Penix Jr. also went down with an injury, the Falcons were forced to start third-stringer Cooper Rush — on the road, in Week 1 — against Pittsburgh.

The chaos drew immediate outside commentary. Former Steelers head coach and current NBC analyst Mike Tomlin offered pointed skepticism about Tagovailoa's prospects as Atlanta's franchise quarterback even before the injury sidelined him. A former NFL head coach cited by Heavy Sports went further, raising questions about whether Tagovailoa's commitment to continuing his career is still fully intact — a claim Tua's camp has not addressed publicly.

Whatever the answer, Atlanta's QB room is in crisis, and the Alabama product most expected to anchor it hasn't thrown a regular-season pass yet as a Falcon.

Derrick Henry Is Done Watching the Super Bowl From His Couch

While Atlanta's QB situation unraveled, Derrick Henry was busy setting the tone for his third season in Baltimore. The former Alabama workhorse went on record with one of the more memorable quotes of the NFL offseason: he's "tired of being at home on the couch watching" the Super Bowl.

Now in his 11th NFL season, Henry enters 2026 with the Ravens carrying some of the league's strongest championship odds. Analysis from Heavy Sports points to a pair of underlying statistical trends suggesting this could be Henry's most productive year yet as a Raven — a striking claim for a back who has already been one of Baltimore's most dangerous offensive weapons. With Lamar Jackson still orchestrating one of the NFL's most dynamic offenses, Henry's window for a ring may be as open as it's ever been.

Josh Jobe Delivers a Game-Winner for Seattle

On the field, it was Josh Jobe who gave Alabama fans the most satisfying moment of the week. The Seahawks cornerback recorded a game-winning interception in Seattle's 13-10 victory over the New England Patriots — a finish Yahoo Sports described as an NFL rarity. Jobe's pick sealed the win and underscored a Seattle defense loaded with Alabama talent: fellow Tide alums Trevon Diggs, Terrion Arnold, Jarran Reed, and Jalen Milroe also suit up for the Seahawks.

Christian Barmore, meanwhile, was on the other sideline for New England in that same game. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel had singled out Barmore and his fellow defensive linemen as the identity of his team heading into the week — calling them "soldiers" — but Seattle's defense had the last word.

Around the League

Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs made news off the field when a rare PSA 10 Purple Kaboom trading card reportedly sold for $35,000 ahead of the Lions' opener, a record that speaks to his rising national profile heading into 2026. And in New England, tight end Cameron Latu — a former Alabama standout claimed off waivers just before the season — saw immediate usage in Week 1, giving Vrabel a versatile weapon in his new-look offense.

For Alabama alumni, opening week was everything at once: a cautionary tale, a championship declaration, and a walk-off play worthy of the Tide's best traditions.

From historic predictions to felony charges, Alabama's NFL alumni class is entering the 2026 season with no shortage of noise. Eight Crimson Tide products are generating significant buzz before a single regular-season snap is played.

Gibbs Chasing History, Latham Anchoring Tennessee

The loudest headline belongs to Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who is being predicted to make NFL history in 2026. The Lions — fresh off a 9-8 season that left them just outside the playoff picture — are banking on Gibbs to be the offensive engine that pushes them over the top. Detroit finished the preseason 2-1, largely with reserves, and the expectation is that Gibbs takes a leap into elite territory when it counts.

Across the AFC South, JC Latham is drawing attention as both Tennessee's X-factor and its clearest path to a higher ceiling in 2026. ESPN's Ben Solak singled out the offensive tackle as the key variable for the Titans, who haven't reached the playoffs since 2021. A Year 3 breakout from the former first-round pick would give Tennessee a legitimately dominant blindside protector — and the kind of continuity up front that rebuilding teams desperately need.

Calvin Ridley is also in Tennessee, though under very different circumstances. The Titans aren't leaning on the veteran receiver to carry the offense, but Sports Illustrated reports he isn't entirely off the hook either. In a low-stakes role within an ongoing rebuild, Ridley's task is defined more by contribution than production.

Tua on a Short Leash in Atlanta

Tua Tagovailoa's reunion tour in the NFL is off to a rocky start. After signing with the Atlanta Falcons, the former Dolphins starter struggled through a poor preseason and, per The Sporting News, the organization is operating with a notably short leash heading into the regular season. The situation isn't surprising given Tagovailoa's preseason performance, but it underscores just how uncertain his footing is in Atlanta.

Humphrey's Contract Year, Braswell's Second Chance

In Baltimore, Marlon Humphrey enters a contract year with the Ravens' front office firmly in his corner. GM Eric DeCosta publicly expressed high expectations for the four-time Pro Bowler, believing Humphrey can return to his elite form in what amounts to a make-or-break campaign. High organizational confidence in a contract year is a notable vote of trust — and added pressure.

Chris Braswell is charting a different kind of comeback. The Buccaneers waived the 2024 second-round pick after he failed to crack Tampa Bay's roster, but the Alabama edge rusher didn't stay unemployed for long. He signed with the Houston Texans, landing with an AFC contender that could use pass-rush depth behind its established starters.

Arnold's Limbo in Seattle

Terrion Arnold remains in a holding pattern with the Seattle Seahawks. The former first-round pick is under an NFL-imposed restriction that has kept him off the practice field, though head coach Mike Macdonald offered an encouraging update: Arnold has been immersing himself in Seattle's defensive system mentally while he waits. When — not if, by Macdonald's framing — Arnold gets clearance, the Seahawks are counting on him to contribute immediately at cornerback.

Davis Faces Serious Legal Trouble

The most sobering news involves Raekwon Davis. The former Dolphins and Colts defensive tackle was arrested on a felony assault charge, per Heavy Sports. Davis, 29, has been a free agent since Indianapolis released him and hasn't played in the NFL since the 2024 season. His path back to the league — already uncertain — now runs through the legal system as well.

It was a week that reminded everyone why Alabama produces more NFL headlines than most conferences combined. From the commissioner's exempt list to contract extension buzz, Crimson Tide alumni were impossible to ignore across the league.

Terrion Arnold's Complicated Seahawks Debut

Terrion Arnold signed with Seattle, but don't expect to see him on the field anytime soon. The former Lions cornerback officially inked a deal with the Seahawks this week — and was immediately placed on the NFL's commissioner's exempt list, making him ineligible to practice or play. Arnold won't count against the 53-man roster while on the list, giving Seattle a way to stash the talent without the roster cost. The circumstances behind the exempt list placement have drawn significant league-wide attention, and resolution won't come quickly. Still, the Seahawks clearly believe the upside is worth the wait.

Tua Tagovailoa's Atlanta Audition Is Slipping

Things are getting uncomfortable in Atlanta for Tua Tagovailoa. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Tua has lost a "big-time lead" over Michael Penix Jr. in the Falcons' starting quarterback competition — and a rough preseason outing in Miami didn't help matters. Tua was greeted with boos from Dolphins fans in his return to South Florida, and the box score offered mixed results in what amounted to a critical audition. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has since moved to split first-team reps in practice between Tua and Penix, a clear signal the race is genuinely open. For a quarterback who arrived with momentum, the window to reclaim QB1 status is narrowing fast.

Gibbs Cracks the Top 10; Parsons Takes Notice

Jahmyr Gibbs is being recognized as one of the best players in football, full stop. The Lions running back checked in at No. 9 on the 2026 NFL Top 100 list — a ranking that reflects back-to-back dominant seasons in Detroit. And it's not just the voters who are impressed: Cowboys pass-rusher Micah Parsons called Gibbs "the fastest person I've ever seen on the field," high praise from a division rival who sees him twice a year. At 23, Gibbs is ascending toward the very top of the running back hierarchy.

Patrick Surtain II: Still the Standard

While Gibbs climbs the rankings, Patrick Surtain II is holding serve at the top. The Broncos cornerback's latest coverage numbers make a compelling case that he remains the NFL's gold-standard defensive back — a title he has held onto through sustained elite performance, not reputation alone. PS2 also appeared on the 2026 NFL Top 100, cementing his status among the game's elite.

Josh Jacobs' Legal Trouble

The week's most sobering Alabama storyline: Josh Jacobs is facing two misdemeanor charges — battery and criminal damage to property — stemming from a May arrest involving a physical confrontation with his girlfriend. The Packers' GM has acknowledged the possibility of an NFL suspension. Jacobs remains one of the league's premier backs, but this situation carries real consequences that extend well beyond the football field.

Bryce Young's Extension Buzz

In Carolina, the conversation around Bryce Young has shifted to the future. Panthers head coach Dave Canales has been effusive in his praise of the former No. 1 overall pick as contract extension discussions loom ahead of the 2026 season. Canales largely sidestepped questions about Young's long-term status — but the tone was unmistakably positive. For a franchise that spent top draft capital on Young, the alignment between coach and quarterback feels like a foundation worth building on.

Alabama's NFL footprint has never looked larger — or more complicated.