Nearly six years after finishing his college career at Auburn, tight end Sal Cannella is on the brink of making his NFL regular-season debut. The Cleveland Browns promoted Cannella from their practice squad on Saturday, making him eligible to play in Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Cannella’s elevation came after Browns tight end David Njoku was sidelined with a knee injury, and Harold Fannin Jr. was limited in practice due to a groin issue. Cannella joined the Browns on June 19 following a standout 2025 season with the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League (UFL), where he caught 44 passes for 474 yards and a touchdown—ranking second in receptions and fifth in receiving yards across the league.
Cannella’s road to the NFL has been long and varied. After capping his Auburn career with a 37-yard touchdown in the 2020 Outback Bowl against Minnesota, he spent time in the Spring League and the USFL, earning All-USFL honors with the New Orleans Breakers in 2022.
He also had preseason stints with the Miami Dolphins (2021), Green Bay Packers (2022), Seattle Seahawks (2023), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2024) without making a regular-season roster, before settling into a more consistent role on the Browns’ practice squad.
Under NFL rules, teams can elevate up to two practice-squad players per game. Cannella’s promotion gives him the chance to play in his first NFL regular-season game, completing a nearly six-year journey from Auburn to the professional stage.
Other players with Alabama and Auburn connections have recently seen similar moves. Former Auburn offensive tackle Jack Driscoll joined the Steelers’ active roster for the third time, while former Alabama lineman Amari Kight was elevated by the Seattle Seahawks.