Since NFL teams began assembling their practice squads on Wednesday, most of the players signed were returning to the club that had waived or released them on Tuesday.
But exceptions have popped up, and four of them occurred on Thursday with players from Alabama high schools and colleges.
Former Alabama cornerback Josh Jobe was waived by the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday. But he joined the practice squad of the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday.
The Cincinnati Bengals picked up guard Tashawn Manning and defensive tackle Justin Rogers for their practice squad on Thursday. The Auburn alumni had been waived by the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys, respectively, on Tuesday.
Former Alabama tight end Cameron Latu was waived by the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday, and he joined the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns on Thursday.
Players with Alabama football roots who joined on Thursday the practice squad of the team that had cut them on Tuesday included:
· Anthony Averett, cornerback (Alabama), Pittsburgh Steelers.
· Marcus Banks, safety (Alabama), Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
· Zyon Gilbert, cornerback (Jeff Davis), Pittsburgh Steelers.
· Avery Jones, guard (Auburn), Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
· Carl Lawson, defensive end (Auburn), Dallas Cowboys.
· D.J. Williams, running back (Auburn), Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Going the other way was former UAB running back DeWayne McBride, who was dropped from the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad on Thursday after signing on Wednesday.
Former Madison Academy star Jordan Matthews also left an NFL practice squad on Thursday as the Carolina Panthers promoted the tight end to their 53-man active roster after an injured-reserve assignment created an opening.
