Alabama will be down three key offensive starters for today's Senior Day against FCS Eastern Illinois, according to multiple reports.
WR Germie Bernard, C Parker Brailsford, and TE Josh Cuevas will all miss Saturday's game.
Bernard and Brailsford were slightly banged up during the Oklahoma loss last week in Tuscaloosa, and both will be held out for more precautionary measures against the FCS foe. Kalen DeBoer said Brailsford's status for this weekend was "up in the air" on Wednesday's SEC Teleconference. Saturday was the first report of Bernard potentially being out. Alabama did not produce the weekly "availability" report this week due to it not being a conference matchup.
The injury to Cuevas is considered to be more serious. The senior TE, who has been one of the most consistent players on either side of the ball for the Crimson Tide this season, suffered a foot injury during practice this week that is expected to cause him to miss some time.
Cuevas will not only sit out today's game against Eastern Illinois, but is unlikely to be able to play in next week's do-or-die Iron Bowl in Jordan-Hare. His status after that remains to be seen, but it would probably be unrealistic that he could go in a hypothetical SEC Championship Game matchup in two weeks.
Alabama will be more than fine against Eastern Illinois without all three, but missing any of them in the Iron Bowl would be a massive blow. Bernard and Brailsford should be good to go, but Cuevas sitting next week is a tough obstacle to overcome.
Who steps up for Alabama in place of the three injured players?
It will be interesting to see whether DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb shift Geno VanDeMark over to center or if redshirt freshman Joseph Ionata will make his first career start later today. VanDeMark served as the backup at all three interior spots last year, but has spent the majority of this season as Alabama's starting right guard.
With Wilkin Formby shifting over to right guard last week against Oklahoma and playing well, VanDeMark split time at left guard with Kam Dewberry. It was the only shuffling up front for the Crimson Tide a week ago.
At WR, Alabama will likely start Ryan Williams, Isaiah Horton, and Lotzeir Brooks together. But with Bernard out, there should be more playing time for guys like Rico Scott, Derek Meadows, and perhaps Jaylen Mbakwe, Cole Adams, or Jalen Hale.
TE depends on the health of Danny Lewis Jr., who has dealt with lingering injuries all year long and once again sat out against Oklahoma a week ago. It's probably unlikely that he'll play against Eastern Illinois, though his status is unknown.
Freshman Kaleb Edwards could earn the start in place of Cuevas. He has seen action in all 10 games and earned two starts this season, with Lewis struggling to get healthy. Edwards has caught five passes for 70 yards and a touchdown.
Redshirt freshman Jay Lindsey, senior Brody Dalton, and freshman Marshall Pritchett could also see an increased early workload. It will be an audition for everyone to see who can potentially be a difference-maker as DeBoer and company prepare for life without Cuevas moving forward.