Damion Square must have made quite the impression on the Bengals a month ago in the wild-card round of the NFL Playoffs.

The then-Raiders’ reserve defensive tackle had his best game of the year when Las Vegas narrowly fell in Cincinnati, racking up three tackles, including one for a loss, in his final performance in silver and black. The 32-year-old veteran out of the University of Alabama was so impactful, in fact, that a few days later, Cincinnati called his agent and wanted to sign him.

“I’d love to play for the Bengals next year,” Square responded, according to the team’s website. They weren’t talking about next year, however. They wanted him immediately, having lost starting defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi for the rest of the playoffs.

Since Las Vegas had signed Square as a practice-squad player, his contract automatically expired at the conclusion of the team’s season. So, before Cincinnati’s divisional-round victory over the Tennessee, the 32-year-old joined the Bengals.

He debuted on the field in orange and black during the Bengals’ AFC Championship Game win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Square didn’t get on the stats sheet, but he logged 15 snaps to become the first player in NFL history to play for two different teams in the same postseason.

“It’s kind of weird … but it’s really exciting,” Square told Bengals.com before the game. “This is the farthest I’ve ever been in the playoffs.”

Square must also rank among the most-transacted players in a single-season in NFL history. The Bengals are the fifth team for which Square has played this season.

He spent part of training camp with both the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints before landing on the Chicago Bears’ practice squad for all of one week. Las Vegas claimed him from Chicago following a Week 1 win over Baltimore in which it lost defensive tackle Gerald McCoy for the season.

The Raiders cut Square three months later but re-signed him to the practice squad once he cleared waivers. The defensive line proved to be the Raiders’ biggest strength this season, and with a logjam of players competing for playing time, Square wasn’t always on the game-day roster.

He was active in nine of a possible 16 games and earned praise from Raiders defensive coordinator Gus Bradley for his team-first attitude and consistent preparation. “He’s one of those guys that’s helped set the standard,” Bradley said going into the playoffs.

Bradley has coached Square for five consecutive seasons; the pair spent the previous four years with the Los Angeles Chargers. Square was one of eight defensive players Bradley brought to Las Vegas with whom he had worked previously, and one of four who played for Bradley with the Chargers.

Familiarity with veteran leaders like linebacker Denzel Perryman and cornerback Casey Hayward allowed Square to fit in quickly, and he eventually became a highly respected teammate. Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby was among those singing the praises of Square, known as a dependable run-stopper.

Bradley continually referred to the defense as a “tight-knit group,” so even though the hurt of losing to the Bengals might be fresh, many Raiders will likely be rooting for him on Super Bowl Sunday.

“He’s a quick study as far as understanding what you’re asking out of the position,” Bradley said of Square earlier in the season. “He can step in and play pretty quickly if needed, so he brings that part of it and is just a really tremendous leader.”