Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rashaan Evans and Washington Commanders defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis are in line to see their first action in the 2023 NFL season on Sunday.
On Saturday, the Cowboys elevated Evans from their practice squad and the Commanders actived Mathis from injured reserve.
A third former Alabama standout also became eligible on Saturday to play on Sunday when the Philadelphia Eagles elevated wide receiver Julio Jones from their practice squad.
A prep star at Auburn High School, Evans made 159 tackles for the Atlanta Falcons in 2022. But Evans remained unsigned as a free agent until Oct. 12, when Dallas added him to its practice squad.
The Cowboys have played once since then without elevating Evans, but he’ll be available to play in Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Each NFL team can elevate two practice-squad members to active status for each game.
Mathis sustained a knee injury in Washington’s first game of 2022 and missed the remainder of his rookie season. In 2023, Mathis opened the season on injured reserve after sustaining a calf injury during the preseason.
But after returning to practice on Wednesday, Mathis is back on the active roster during the regular season for the first time since the first game of his rookie campaign and will be eligible to play on Sunday against the Eagles.
Like Evans, Jones remained an unsigned free agent when the season started. He joined Philadelphia’s practice squad on Oct. 17 and made his 2023 debut in Sunday night’s 31-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
A seven-time Pro Bowler, the former Foley High School star had a 3-yard reception while playing 16 offensive snaps.
In another Saturday transaction involving a player with Alabama football roots, former Hoover High School standout Jeremiah Moon joined the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad. The Ravens waived Moon on Thursday and signed him after he cleared waivers on Friday.
The outside linebacker had played in four games with 70 defensive snaps and 75 special-teams plays in 2023 in his first NFL action.
