Former Alabama star AJ McCarron reveals health status ahead of 2022 NFL season

Former Alabama star quarterback AJ McCarron is preparing to make a comeback to the NFL after recovering from ACL surgery. McCarron joined the Atlanta Falcons last year on a one-year contract, but suffered a season-ending ACL tear in preseason. McCarron spoke on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football on Monday, explaining that he is ready to play and in great shape — if he gets a call from an NFL team.

AJ McCarron ready to return to NFL action

“I feel great,” said McCarron on Monday via AL.com. “I was blessed to have a great team around me with Dr. (Lyle) Cane, our doctor at Alabama, and Kevin Wilk, who I did a bunch of my rehab with. I got cleared at four-and-a-half months out from surgery, so I’ve just been working on the strength and getting everything back normal, and I really feel great right now.

“You never know what your future holds, what it is in this game, so I’m just ready, waiting for a call. But right now, I’m enjoying my time off and being able to be a dad and being around my three boys for the first time in a while.”

McCarron led Alabama to back-to-back BCS national titles at Alabama in 2011 and 2012, finishing second in Heisman voting in his final year. He was drafted to the Cincinnati Bengals and spent part of his rookie year on injury reserve. His second season saw him receive the most NFL action of his career when Andy Dalton went down with a thumb injury late in the season.

McCarron went 2-1 as a starter in the 2015 season, eventually seeing the Bengals’ season end to the Pittsburgh Steelers 18-16 in the AFC Wild Card round of the playoffs. Since leaving the Bengals, McCarron has signed with the Bills, the Raiders and the Falcons — and is now a free agent.