NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Blake Sims #6 of the Alabama Crimson Tide throws the ball in the fourth quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the All State Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Former Alabama quarterback Blake Sims is getting a chance to play in the NFL — but at another position.
The Atlanta Falcons signed the 24-year-old former Crimson Tide QB to their practice squad on Tuesday as a running back, which was the first position he played.
Sims won national championships in 2012 and 2013 as a backup, then as a senior starter in 2014, he threw for 3,487 yards and 28 touchdowns in leading Alabama to an SEC championship. However, the Tide fell to eventual champion Ohio State in the playoff at the All State Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, and Sims went undrafted.
He attended minicamps with the Washington Redskins and Green Bay Packers last year but wasn’t signed. Thus, this is the first paid opportunity for Sims.
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The Falcons also waived practice squad running back Gus Johnson on Tuesday. Johnson is a physical runner who has bounced on and off the Falcons’ roster and practice squad since the summer.
If Terron Ward continues to miss time with injury, it’s possible for Sims to get on the 53 man roster at some point
Atlanta lost its season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-24 at home on Sunday, and will next visit the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 01: Blake Sims #6 of the Alabama Crimson Tide throws the ball in the fourth quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the All State Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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