Former Alabama quarterback, AJ McCarron is playing in his first NFL game tonight when the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

McCarron’s NFL debut was delayed due to nagging injuries, but now he will get his chance to prove that he can play at the next level.

McCarron started three seasons for the Crimson Tide, and lead Alabama to back to back national championships in the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

Although Alabama did not win a title in his final season, McCarron did finish as a Heisman finalist in 2013 passing for 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Update: 

When McCarron finally took the field in the second Cincinnati’s backups struggled to move the ball on the Buccaneers, but they still managed to have more success than the Bengal’s starters. He played the entire second half, and led the offense to it’s only touchdown drive of the evening late in the fourth quarter. The Bengals lost the game 25-11.

McCarron finished 11-for-15 and passed for 97 yards. Starting Cincinnati quarterback, Andy Dalton, meanwhile completed 6-of-13 for 46 yards and two interceptions. 

The Bengals next preseason game takes place at home against Chicago on Saturday, Aug. 29.