The NCAA on Wednesday banned a practice Alabama used in workouts in recent years.

Chalk up another Nick Saban rule.

No longer will former players be allowed to come back to be used as practice players, the NCAA announced Wednesday. The rule was sponsored by the ACC.

"The proposal is intended to negate competitive and recruiting advantages schools potentially could gain by allowing former student-athletes to practice with the current team," the NCAA news release read.

Alabama used a host of former stars in practices like Blake Sims, Trent Richardson and Richard Mullaney. Former quarterback John Parker Wilson also participated a few times including the 2016 preparation for LSU passer Danny Etling.

Sims played the role of Deshaun Watson entering the 2017 national title game.

"For one," AFCA executive director Todd Berry said, "it's taking opportunities away for current teams to practice and get better."

It wasn't just Alabama who used alumni in practice. Former Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd played the Jalen Hurts part in Tiger practices leading into that 2017 title game in Tampa.

Marshawn Lynch put on the pads with Cal during their 2016 trip to Australia during his brief retirement.

"There are advantages to be supplementing your team to have a 'practice squad' of former players," Berry of the AFCA said.

AL.com reporter James Crepea contributed to this report.

Michael Casagrande is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.