BREAKING NEWS: Huge addition as best QB makes his first NFL regular-season comeback in almost 3 years

On January 3, 2021, quarterback AJ McCarron lined up as the Houston Texans’ personal protector in punt formation. The ruse caught the Tennessee Titans off guard, and McCarron took the snap and completed a 20-yard pass.

Until Sunday, that was the most recent NFL regular-season snap for the former Alabama All-American.

When Cincinnati quarterback Jake Browning was injured in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts, McCarron entered the game for the first time since Dec. 17, 2017.

McCarron played his first four NFL seasons with Cincinnati before moving on to the Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, and Houston Texans before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during an Atlanta Falcons preseason game on Aug. 21, 2021, and missing the rest of the season.

McCarron played for the XFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks earlier this year after sitting out the 2022 season, and he led the league in touchdown passes, completion percentage, and passing-efficiency rating.
McCarron joined the Bengals’ practice squad on Sept. 23, and he took over as Browning’s backup when Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury on Nov. 26.

Browning injured his hand while scrambling for 3 yards on the second play of the fourth quarter on Sunday.

Before the Bengals punted, McCarron played one snap. However, Isaiah McKenzie of the Indianapolis Colts muffed the punt, and Cincinnati recovered at the Colts’ 12-yard line. Because of an offensive-holding penalty, McCarron lost a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tee Higgins, and the Bengals settled for a field goal to take a 31-14 lead with 11:14 left to play.

When Cincinnati regained possession with 9:23 remaining, Browning returned to the game. Browning stated after the Bengals’ 34-14 victory that he had to leave the field due to a cramp.

At St. Paul’s Episcopal in Mobile, McCarron was an All-State football and baseball player who helped the Saints win the AHSAA Class 5A football championship in 2007.

McCarron started at quarterback for the Alabama teams that won the BCS national championships in 2011 and 2012. He became the Crimson Tide’s all-time passing leader in 2013, won the Maxwell Award and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and finished second in Heisman Trophy voting.