Crimson Tide in the NFL Spotlight: Week 2
9/23/2026 12:00:00 PM | Football
Former Alabama players made an impact in Week 2 of the NFL season
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The National Football League concluded Week 2 of the regular season Monday evening. Below is a look at how former Alabama players performed on the gridiron last week.
Former Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young continued his stellar start for the Carolina Panthers, collecting 287 yards and three touchdowns on 23-of-36 passing in a 34-3 divisional win over Atlanta Through the first two weeks, Young's six passing touchdowns are tied for the league lead.
Tide receiving tandem and 2020 national championship teammates Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith both reached the century mark in Week 2. Waddle hauled in eight receptions for 138 yards, aiding the Denver Broncos to a 20-13 win over Jacksonville. Smith reached the end zone once while hauling in 10 receptions for 117 yards in the Philadelphia Eagles' last-minute 24-20 win at Tennessee.
Jahmyr Gibbs led all former Crimson Tide backs in receiving during Week 2 with 61 yards and one score for the Detroit Lions. Gibbs also added 52 yards on the ground to finish with 113 all-purpose yards, giving him back-to-back weeks with over 110 scrimmage yards.
Kicker Will Reichard scored every point for the Minnesota Vikings in a 9-3 divisional win over the Bears, connecting on kicks from 35, 39 and 49 yards. All three kicks came on a day that featured heavy rain and double-digit mile per hour winds in downtown Chicago.
On defense, linebacker Dallas Turner made a splash off the edge, recording five tackles and two sacks to go with four quarterback hurries for the Vikings. Jihaad Campbell furthered his stellar start to his second year with the Eagles, totaling a game-high 10 tackles and forcing a fumble in the win.
Safety Jordan Battle and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. went head-to-head as the Cincinnati Bengals took on the Houston Texans. Anderson Jr. stuffed the defensive stat sheet for Houston, finishing with eight tackles, including three for loss and one sack, while adding one pass deflection. Battle posted eight tackles and a pass breakup as the Bengals were able to claim a 20-6 win.
Rounding out the defensive group was A'Shawn Robinson. The Tampa Bay defensive tackle registered five tackles and a sack, despite battling through a nearly two-hour weather delay during the Buccaneers' 23-19 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
