Alabama Football: What the Jalston Fowler Injury Means for The Tide
John David Mercer-US PRESSWIRE
The Alabama Crimson Tide moved to 2-0 on Saturday with a 35-0 win over Western Kentucky, but the big story of the game was the injury to running back Jalston Fowler. Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced at his Monday press conference that Fowler is having surgery this week and will likely be out for the season.
The injury occurred in the fourth quarter of the Tide’s victory over the Hilltoppers, and the loss of Fowler will be a big blow to the Alabama offense. The junior running back may not have had a big impact in Saturday’s game as he had just 18 rushing yards on three carries, and one reception for six yards, but there is no denying that he had a big role on the Alabama offense.
Against Michigan in the season opener, Fowler rushed for 67 yards on eight carries and was a big factor in the running game without running the ball as well when he lined up as the fullback in the I-Formation. We didn’t see Alabama run the I against Western Kentucky, but there is little doubt that they plan to use it a lot this season.
Now with Fowler out, Alabama will miss a tremendous lead blocker from that formation, who performed extremely well in that role against Michigan. Fowler was also a back you could bring in late in games when the defense was tired and worn down. A tired defense trying to tackle the 240-pound Fowler usually doesn’t work out very well.
This is sad to see given how hard Fowler worked this offseason to get to where he is. But injuries are a part of football, and they can happen anywhere and anytime you put your pads on and lace up your cleats.
Fortunately for Alabama, running back is one of the deepest positions on the team, and the Crimson Tide has four capable running backs outside of Fowler. Junior Eddie Lacy is the starter, and freshman sensation TJ Yeldon has been impressive in his first two games, especially against Michigan when he ran for 111 yards on 11 carries.
Those two were going to get plenty of touches regardless, but they will have a little more weight on their shoulders now.
Fowler’s injury does open the door for two other young running backs in redshirt freshman Dee Hart and true freshman Kenyan Drake. Dee Hart had 19 yards on nine carries against Michigan, and three carries for 12 yards against Western Kentucky.
Kenyan Drake only got a single carry in each of the first two games of the season, but he made the most of his lone carry against the Hilltoppers as he took it 32 yards to the end zone for the first touchdown of his collegiate career.
It didn’t look like Drake would have much of a role on Alabama’s offense this year, but the door is certainly open for him and for Dee Hart now.
The only problem is that arguably, Jalston Fowler is the only running back in the stable that is not replaceable. His production at running back can be replaced, but Alabama doesn’t have another runner they can put in at fullback in the I-formation.
It will be interesting to see what Alabama does in the I now with Fowler out. If they stick with the formation, we could see a tight end/H-back take over like Kelly Johnson, Harrison Jones, Brian Vogler or Malcolm Faciane. Redshirt freshman Brent Calloway could be an option as well, but I think his size (6-foot-1, 217 pounds) would keep him from being able to play fullback.
It is going to be interesting to see what the Crimson Tide do now that their most versatile running back is out with an injury. We will be sure to find out against Arkansas in Fayetteville on Saturday as the Crimson Tide usually throws out everything they have in the bag against the Hogs.
The loss of Jalston Fowler stings, and it’s a bigger loss than some people may think. It’s not just losing a third-string running back. It is losing a guy who had a major role in Alabama’s offense, and he will not be easily replaced.
Alabama does have the depth to overcome this loss, but with Fowler out, Alabama loses a big dynamic in its offense.
We wish Jalston a speedy recovery.
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