Alabama compares tight end playing against Oklahoma to Terrell Owens playing hurt in Super Bowl

Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end Josh Cuevas (80) prior to the CFP 1st Round Game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family OK Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Alabama football’s starting tight end Josh Cuevas made a return to the football field on Friday night.

This was his first action since having a great game against the Sooners in November. The California native was dependable against Oklahoma again in the first round of the College Football Playoff when he pulled in four receptions for 43 yards on an injured foot.

Ryan Grubb called this performance unreal after the game.

“Josh Cuevas is one of the toughest kids I’ve ever seen play football, mentally, physically,” Grubb said. “To be able to do what he did tonight is absolutely unbelievable. People that are a little bit older remember Terrell Owens coming back and playing in the Super Bowl with a broken foot. I think he had a spiral fracture, and you think about those kind of stories with a guy like Josh. We didn’t think there was any way he was going to play, and he just kept saying he was going to find a way and the doctors, and Jeff (Allen) did an incredible job, and they got him back out on the field. His mindset and his perseverance, it’s special. It’s really rare.”

Cuevas gets some more time to rest his foot before he returns to his home state and goes up against Indiana in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.