Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s unexpected NFL return after spending this season as a high school coach led to a former Alabama prep star losing his roster spot with the Detroit Lions.

Bridgewater was on the practice field with the Lions on Thursday after coaching Miami Northwestern to the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 3A championship. To make room for him on the active roster, Detroit waived linebacker Kwon Alexander, a former Oxford High School standout.

“I’ve been in touch with Teddy for a while,” said Lions coach Dan Campbell. “It was always a potential possibility. We know what Teddy’s been doing down there and giving back to his community. They won a championship, so his coaching debut was a success. But getting someone with his experience – he’s kept in shape, he’s been throwing, and we’re getting him integrated here – it brings professionalism and a veteran presence. He’s great for the team and for the position.”

Bridgewater now joins starter Jared Goff and backup Hendon Hooker as the quarterbacks on Detroit’s active roster. Bridgewater took three snaps in his 10th NFL season, serving as Goff’s backup in 2023.

With a 13-2 record and two games remaining, the Lions have secured a playoff spot. They share the NFC’s best record with the Minnesota Vikings, their opponents in the final regular-season game. Detroit will face the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night in a rematch of last season’s NFC Championship Game.

Alexander had joined the Lions on Nov. 29 after being signed off the Denver Broncos’ practice squad. He started his first two games with Detroit, playing 29 defensive snaps before being inactive in the team’s most recent game.

At Denver, Alexander appeared in three games as a practice-squad elevation, playing 65 defensive snaps in his 10th NFL season.

After recording 144 tackles and 17 sacks for Oxford High School as a junior, Alexander was a finalist for the High School Butkus Award, a member of the ESPN All-American team, and participated in the Under Armour All-American Game in 2011, despite missing much of the season due to a knee injury.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Alexander from LSU in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Over his four years with the Bucs, Alexander led the NFL with 108 solo tackles in 2016 and made the Pro Bowl in 2017.

Over the past six seasons, Alexander has appeared in 63 regular-season games for six NFL teams.