Bengals activate former Alabama DL, NFL journeyman who can make history vs. Chiefs
The Alabama Crimson Tide have the most current alumni competing in the NFL with 51 players that played on Sunday in 2021.
While there are so many stars that immediately come to mind for Tide fans, one NFL journeymen who spent his college career will take the field in Sunday’s AFC title showdown with a unique journey and the potential to make history.
The Damion Square story is a great one to say the least.
While, it’s obviously a thrilling opportunity for Square — who has had a long and winding journey since joining the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free-agent rookie in 2013–the former Alabama Crimson Tide defender has one of the most unique stories of how he will end up playing in the most meaningful game for the Bengals in decades.
The Crimson Tide alumni will be lining up next to a team made up of players he literally just met.
The seasoned NFL veteran has played for nine teams and has made a career bouncing around from practice squads and occasionally getting elevated to play in games. He’s played in exactly 100 contests with 25 starts. When given the opportunity, Square has produced. He has 129 tackles, 56 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits, nine pass deflections, seven sacks and two fumble recoveries in his career.
How can the former Alabama Crimson Tide DL make history?
Squarr spent the entire 2021 campaign with the Las Vegas Raiders, mainly as a practice squad player.
So, he was part of the Raiders when Joe Burrow and company outlasted them in the Wildcard round..
According to Elias, if Square plays on Sunday, he will be the first player in NFL history to play in a playoff game against one team and then play for it in the same postseason.
A recent article posted on the Bengals’ official website shared a hilarious behind-the-scenes glimpse into how the Alabama Crimson Tide alum wound up in this situation.
“Come here. Listen to this. History,” said Square as he gathered some of his new teammates around him to give them the low down. “I’m here. I’m ready.”
The wackiness began after the Wild Card Game. The Bengals had just lost starting three technique Larry Ogunjobi for the season, not to mention backup Mike Daniels for the rest of the way, and they weren’t sure about backup nose tackle Josh Tupou’s knee and young tackles Tyler Shelvin and Renell Wren just didn’t have the experience.
As they prepared for the Titans, they needed a big body tackle for the Tennessee run game and plucked massive Zach Kerr from the Arizona practice squad even as he was on the active roster for the Cardinals Wild Card Game against the Rams.
There was a player the front office was familiar with who played for the Alabama Crimson Tide years ago.
According to the article on the team’s site, the coaching staff loved his veteran experience but also noted Pro Football focus graded him as the Raiders’ top pass rusher behind All-Pro Maxx Crosby.
“Yeah, it’s kind of weird to be right back here but it’s really exciting,” the former Crimson Tide big man said. “This is the farthest I’ve ever been in the playoffs. I went to a second-round game against (Tom) Brady with the Chargers (in 2014). But that game never really started.”
When his agent approached him after the Vegas season ended and told him about the Bengals interest, he said great.
The former Alabama Crimson Tide standout had a hilarious interaction with his wife about the whole situation.
“I’d love to play for the Bengals next year,” Square thought.
Then later that night his wife told him, “No, he’s talking about this weekend.”
“I said, ‘Wow,'” Square said. “So here I am.”