Crimson Tide in the NFL Spotlight: Week 5
10/9/2024 4:00:00 PM | Football
Former Alabama players make an impact in Week 5 of the NFL season
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The National Football League concluded Week 5 of the regular season Monday evening. Below is a look at how former Alabama players performed on the gridiron last week.
Former Alabama tailbacks excelled last week, highlighted by Josh Jacobs and Derrick Henry. Jacobs carried the ball 19 times for 73 yards and accounted for his first touchdown as a member of the Packers' organization while adding a 21-yard reception in Green Bay's 24-19 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Derrick Henry continued his dominant play, helping the Baltimore Ravens to a 41-38 overtime victory against the Cincinnati Bengals. Henry rushed 15 times for 92 yards and a touchdown, including a 51-yard gain in overtime that set up the eventual game-winning field goal. Thanks to his efforts on Sunday, Henry became the fifth player in NFL history to accumulate at least 10,000 rushing yards and 100 scrimmage touchdowns across his first 125 games.
Najee Harris and Brian Robinson Jr. were also impressive out of the backfield in Week 5. Harris rushed 14 times for 42 yards and added two receptions for 35 yards in the Pittsburgh Steelers' matchup with Dallas. Robinson Jr. helped the Commanders to a 34-13 win over the Cleveland Browns, totaling two scores and 18 rushing yards in the Washington win. In that same game, Amari Cooper led all Cleveland receivers with four catches for 60 yards to round out the offensive group.
On the other side of the ball, a trio of former Alabama defensive backs posted standout performances, highlighted once again by Xavier McKinney. The Packers' safety recorded two turnovers, including his league-leading fifth interception to go with a fumble recovery. McKinney added three tackles and two pass breakups by day's end. He has picked off one pass in each of the first five games this season, becoming only the third player to accomplish that feat since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. McKinney is also the first to ever accomplish this feat through the first five games with a new squad.
Broncos' corner Pat Surtain II had a career day against the Las Vegas Raiders. Surtain II had two interceptions for a combined 100 return yards, including his first career pick-six, to lead Denver's defense. The fourth-year man also registered three tackles and a pair of pass breakups in the AFC West pairing. Pittsburgh safety Minkah Fitzpatrick recorded a season-high 10 tackles and added one pass breakup against the Cowboys.
Up front, Jonathan Allen and Mack Wilson each contributed in a big way. Allen accumulated four total tackles, including a sack, while adding a pair of quarterback hits in Washington's victory. Wilson recorded six total tackles, a fumble recovery, one interception and a pass breakup in Arizona's 24-23 road victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
