AJ McCarron's Football Journey: What’s Next?

Last year, AJ McCarron made a triumphant return to the gridiron with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL. He showcased his skills by completing 203 out of 295 passes, amassing 2,150 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just six interceptions over nine regular-season games. This stellar performance paved his way back to the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals.

This season, McCarron is back with the Battlehawks, now part of the United Football League (UFL). He recorded 164 completions from 255 attempts, covering 1,582 yards, and securing 15 touchdowns against four interceptions across eight regular-season games. As he awaits his next NFL opportunity, he's on standby.

However, there's a new challenge in his path.

McCarron suffered an ankle injury on May 11 during a game against the Birmingham Stallions. This injury sidelined him for the next two games, but he returned for the regular-season finale on June 1, leading the Battlehawks to a narrow 13-12 victory over the San Antonio Brahmas and securing a spot in the XFL Conference Championship Game for St. Louis.

The season for the Battlehawks concluded on June 8, when they lost to the Brahmas 25-15. During the final play of the first half, a defender fell on McCarron's injured ankle after he had thrown a pass. McCarron remained on the turf at the Dome at America’s Center until most players had left for the locker rooms, yet he returned for the second half.

“I’m just getting ready and then be ready for a call,” McCarron said on Saturday regarding his NFL prospects for 2024. “My biggest thing right now is getting this thing back 100 percent and staying in shape. Spending time with the family, staying in shape, rehabbing and then being ready to go whenever that call comes.”

At his ninth annual free football camp in Mobile, McCarron described his injury as a “Grade 2 high ankle sprain,” which involves a partial tear of the ligaments.

McCarron opted out of ankle surgery during the UFL season but underwent surgery on his left ankle about two weeks ago.

“I feel fine,” McCarron said. “It was a tightrope surgery. Dr. (Norman) Waldrop did it up in Birmingham. It went great. Managing the swelling right now being out of surgery about two weeks. But I actually feel great, and this really helped.”

Despite his recent surgery, McCarron was on his feet on Saturday at Mobile Christian School’s Harrison Field for his football camp, even completing a pass to every camper.

McCarron rejoined Cincinnati on Sept. 23 for his ninth NFL season as part of the Bengals’ practice squad. The season-ending injury of Joe Burrow on Nov. 16 promoted McCarron to the backup role.

McCarron began his NFL career with Cincinnati after being selected by the Bengals in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He had previously led Alabama to two BCS national championships, earning accolades such as the Maxwell Award, Heisman Trophy runner-up, and setting numerous Crimson Tide records for passing yards and total offense.

His professional journey continued with the Oakland Raiders in 2018 and the Houston Texans in 2019 and 2020.

McCarron's time with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 was cut short by a torn ACL during a preseason game, causing him to miss the entire season. This injury led to his comeback with the Battlehawks in 2023.