SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Seattle Seahawks star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba returned in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 60 after being taken to the locker room in the third quarter to be evaluated for a concussion.
Smith-Njigba, the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, appeared to get banged up when he was tackled by New England cornerback Marcus Jones on a four-yard completion midway through the third quarter. After the Seahawks secured their second championship in franchise history, Smith-Njigba said he was fine when asked about his head.
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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) wait to take the field for the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, font, is unable to catch a pass as New England Patriots safety Craig Woodson defends during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) breaks up a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, right, during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) makes a catch during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
“Man,” Smith-Njigba said, “I'm on cloud nine right now.”
The injury came during a quiet night for Smith-Njigba. The NFL’s leader in yards receiving during the regular season had three catches for 24 yards when he left the field. Smith-Njigba finished the evening with four catches for 27 yards and no touchdown receptions.
With Smith-Njigba held in check, Cooper Kupp led the Seahawks with six receptions for 61 yards. Second-year tight end AJ Barner had Seattle's lone offensive touchdown, a 16-yard score early in the fourth quarter.
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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) wait to take the field for the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, font, is unable to catch a pass as New England Patriots safety Craig Woodson defends during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) breaks up a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, right, during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) makes a catch during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama receiver Ryan Williams has a new name and a new number for 2026.
One of the team's most notable player made two notable changes during the offseason. He added Coleman to his now-hyphenated last name to honor his mother and switched from No. 2 to No. 1, returning to the digit he wore in high school for in-state powerhouse Saraland.
Both moves could kick start a bounceback season for the speedy wideout who struggled to catch the ball last year.
“I have a legacy that I want to write,” Coleman-Williams said Friday. "My mom is a strong part of that. She's my best friend and the name Coleman comes from her. So just want to represent my family to the best of my ability.
“As far as my number, it's just an opportunity to have a hard reset, make me feel like myself again and get ready for a season that doesn't disappoint.”
A preseason All-America selection in 2025, Coleman-Williams only had one 100-yard receiving game last season — Week 3 against Wisconsin — and led the Football Bowl Subdivision with 13 drops. He finished with 49 receptions for 689 yards and four touchdowns after capturing national attention with 45 catches for 857 yards and eight scores as a freshman.
Alabama reached the College Football Playoff but was dominated in the Rose Bowl, losing 38-3 to eventual national champion Indiana.
“Not necessarily a disappointing (season), but I learned a lot of lessons,” Coleman-Williams said. “I'm just thankful for those lessons and thankful for the opportunity to put some better on display this season.”
Alabama is also looking for Coleman-Williams to step into a larger leadership role. He is one of only two returning starters on offense — and the only upperclassman. The Crimson Tide will have a new starting quarterback in 2026, and within Coleman-Williams's position group, there's a new position coach (Derrick Nix) and five new players.
Through the first week of spring practice, coach Kalen DeBoer voiced confidence in how Coleman-Williams has adjusted.
“It feels like he’s seeing an opportunity,” DeBoer said. “He continues to raise the work, raise the level and be efficient in it. He’s always worked. I think where he’s focusing that attention is really intentional. It’s great to see his leadership capabilities. Last year I felt like he took a great step, and now it’s on another level. Our team needs that.”
Coleman-Williams said he “1,000 percent” feels like his old self through the first few days of practice. That's welcome news as the Crimson Tide's quarterback competition, featuring Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, is one of the most high-profile battles in college football. Creating a bond with Coleman-Williams could be key to winning the job.
And with so many new faces on that side of the ball, getting Coleman-Williams back into his freshman form should help him and the offense maximize their potential.
“He’s so naturally talented and he’s such a hard worker and a great kid,” offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said. "The ownership he had after the season I think is something that really stands out to me. (We need) a concerted effort on our part to make sure we’re getting him enough touches in every game. If we can’t get him the ball down the field, we got to find a way to get the ball in his hands early.
“He’s shown that he’s really, really electric. If there’s issues with contested catches and things like that, then you got to be more creative and just find ways to get him the football in his hands.”
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FILE - Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) can't make the catch on fourth down as Oklahoma defensive back Peyton Bowen defends in the closing minutes of the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt,File)
FILE - Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt,File)
