Crimson Tide in the NFL Spotlight: Week 1
9/16/2026 1:00:00 PM | Football
Former Alabama players made an impact in Week 1 of the NFL season
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The National Football League concluded Week 1 of the regular season Monday evening. Below is a look at how former Alabama players performed on the gridiron last week.
The Crimson Tide was well-represented in the NFL to start the 2026-27 season with 72 total players on rosters (including reserve/practice squads) to lead all college programs once again. The Tide had 58 former players on an active 53-man roster in Week 1, also the most of any program in college football.
Alabama produced two of the top three rushers across the opening week of play, with Jahmyr Gibbs taking 29 carries for 156 yards—good for second-most in the NFL—and Derrick Henry adding the third-highest mark with 144 yards on 24 attempts.
Gibbs also scored a pair of touchdowns and hauled in five receptions for 30 yards to aid the Detroit Lions to a 31-30 overtime win against New Orleans. Henry found the end zone three times in Baltimore's 41-23 win at Indianapolis, tied for the most rushing touchdowns over the league's first week. The 11th-year veteran added one catch for 19 yards for the Ravens.
The Tide also yielded two of the top passers of the week with former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young and Jalen Hurts throwing for three touchdowns each. Young threw for 361 yards on 23-of-37 passing for the Carolina Panthers, adding another score and 10 yards on the ground against Chicago. Hurts led the Philadelphia Eagles to a 24-22 divisional win over Washington, posting 203 yards through the air on 14-of-25 passing and adding another 46 on the ground.
On defense, cornerback Josh Jobe was critical in the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks' 13-10 victory over the New England Patriots in the league's season opener on Sept. 9. Jobe sealed the win on an interception in the end zone with 26 seconds left in the game. Jobe also recorded six tackles, good for third on the team. Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey forced and recovered a fumble during the second quarter of the team's 41-23 win over Indianapolis. Humphrey also added four tackles and a pass deflection in the win.
Safety Jordan Battle and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen both stood out for the Cincinnati Bengals in a 33-27 win at Tampa Bay. Battle led the team with nine total stops, while Allen contributed three tackles plus a sack and a tackle for loss.
Linebacker Dallas Turner was a presence on the edge with seven quarterback hits to go along with a sack and a forced fumble in the Minnesota Vikings' 39-22 divisional win over Green Bay. Linebacker Jihaad Campbell posted nine tackles and a sack in the first game of his sophomore campaign, aiding the Eagles to a win against Washington.
