Former Alabama QB A.J. McCarron is back on an in-season NFL active roster for the first time since 2020. The Bengals announced the roster move ahead of their Monday Night Football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

McCarron is in his second stint with the Bengals. He signed to the team’s practice squad on Sept. 23. He has recently been available as a practice squad elevation. As a practice squad member, he was subject to potentially being signed away to another team’s active roster.

A former All-American and 3-time national champion with the Crimson Tide, McCarron has been playing professionally since 2014. The Bengals selected McCarron in the 5th round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

In his first stint, McCarron spent 4 seasons in Cincinnati. He signed a 2-year deal with the Buffalo Bills during the 2018 offseason, but was traded to the Oakland Raiders in September. McCarron played just 2 games for the Raiders.

McCarron landed with the Houston Texans in 2019 after his release from Oakland. He made 4 appearances, including 1 start, in his time with the club. McCarron signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021, but tore his ACL during preseason play.

In late 2022, McCarron signed with the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks. He had a standout 2023 spring season as the league’s leading passer.

The Bengals have turned to QB Jake Browning after losing Joe Burrow to injury. We’ll see if McCarron gets the chance to play in another game for Cincinnati.