In a highly anticipated battle for the starting quarterback position, the Las Vegas Raiders’ training camp saw Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell vie for the top spot. As the preseason concluded and the team finalized its roster, Minshew emerged as the chosen starter for the opening game. Both Minshew and O’Connell secured spots on the Raiders’ 53-man active roster, while the remaining quarterbacks were either released or reassigned.
Among those not making the active roster but remaining with the team is rookie Carter Bradley from South Alabama. Bradley, who had been in competition for a roster spot, has been re-signed to the Raiders’ practice squad. This move reflects the team’s decision to keep a promising talent within their development system.
Bradley’s performance during the preseason provided a glimpse of his potential. Over three preseason games, he completed 17 of 34 passes, accumulating 225 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Despite these modest statistics, Bradley showed notable promise, particularly in the closing moments of the Raiders’ preseason finale.
In a dramatic 24-24 tie against the San Francisco 49ers, Bradley played a pivotal role. With only minutes left on the clock, he delivered four completions in a five-pass span, advancing the team 69 yards. This clutch performance set up a 43-yard field goal by former Auburn kicker Daniel Carlson, tying the game with just 16 seconds remaining. The NFL preseason rules stipulate that games cannot go into overtime, which made Bradley’s performance all the more crucial in the game’s final moments.
Bradley is one of 14 players from Alabama high schools and colleges—excluding Alabama and Auburn—who were waived or released during the recent roster cuts and have since returned to the NFL as practice-squad members. This influx of talent from the state reflects the depth and skill present in Alabama’s football programs.
The NFL’s roster management process required each team to trim its preseason roster of 90 players down to the 53-player limit for the regular season. Despite numerous players being waived or released, none of the Alabama alumni were claimed by other teams. This scenario allowed for a significant number of these players to rejoin the league in practice squad roles.
Starting Wednesday afternoon, each NFL team was permitted to build a practice squad consisting of up to 16 players, or 17 if the team includes an International Pathway player. Practice squad players are crucial to a team’s weekly preparation, working alongside active roster members during practice sessions. However, they are generally ineligible to participate in games, with one notable exception: each team is allowed to elevate two practice-squad players to the active roster for each game.
As of Wednesday, 29 of the 32 NFL teams had announced their practice squad rosters, and several former Alabama high school and college players were among those signed. This development highlights the ongoing interest and investment in players from Alabama’s football programs, reflecting their continued relevance and talent in the professional league.
In summary, while Carter Bradley did not secure a spot on the Raiders’ active roster, his inclusion on the practice squad underscores his potential and the team’s commitment to his development. As the Raiders move forward into the regular season with Minshew as their starting quarterback, Bradley’s performance and progression on the practice squad will be closely monitored, potentially setting the stage for future opportunities.
