Alabama Crimson Tide news and notes from Wednesday and Thursday, September 10th and 11th.
Ryan Williams to play, others questionable for Wisconsin per Kalen DeBoer
Wednesday brought a plethora of injury updates for several Alabama players who have been on the mend.
The biggest news is that star sophomore WR Ryan Williams is expected to play against Wisconsin. Williams missed last week's throttling of UL Monroe due to a concussion he suffered in Alabama's loss to Florida State in Week 1. Even with a lot of talented depth on the two-deep, there's simply no replacing a player of his caliber. His return will be big for the offense - and I'd bet on some fireworks.
Other Tide players are more questionable. Jam Miller will be a game-time decision, according to DeBoer. Under normal circumstances, Miller would probably sit, take an extra week of rest with the bye week, and be fully ready to go for Georgia. But DeBoer and this team are feeling an immediate sense of urgency with a number in the loss column already.
Veteran defenders Tim Keenan and Jah-Marien Latham are also expected to be game-time decisions this week. Keenan's return remains critical up front, especially in the aftermath of Jeremiah Beaman's season-ending knee injury. Beaman was Keenan's backup, which has forced true freshman London Simmons into a starting role.
Wisconsin expected to be down its starting QB
Wisconsin is expected to be without starting QB Billy Edwards Jr. for Saturday's matchup in Tuscaloosa. Edwards suffered a non-contact knee injury during the Badgers' season-opening win over Miami (OH), which caused him to miss last week's game against Middle Tennessee State.
Wisconsin is better prepared to be down its starting QB this year than last; along with adding Edwards Jr. from Maryland, it grabbed San Diego State's Danny O'Neil in the Transfer Portal as well.
O'Neil is expected to start, though Edwards will go through pre-game warmups. Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell considers Edwards a long shot.
Mac Jones stepping in for an injured Brock Purdy in San Francisco
Former Alabama QB Mac Jones is going to get another opportunity to start in the NFL. 49ers QB Brock Purdy is suffering from turf toe and is expected to miss the next 2-5 weeks as a result. Enter Jones, who signed a two-year contract to be San Fran's backup this offseason.
It's a full circle kind of moment for Jones, whom the 49ers passed on in the 2021 NFL Draft to take Trey Lance instead. Jones had been rumored to the 49ers in the lead-up to the draft, but ultimately fell to the Patriots at No. 15 instead.
Jones spent last season as the backup to Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville, but ended up starting eight games due to Lawrence's injury.
The 49ers will face off with the Saints on Sunday.
Nate Oats, Alabama stay red-hot on the recruiting trail
It has been a big week for Nate Oats and Alabama basketball, and it's about to be an even bigger weekend.
On Wednesday, just two days after landing a commitment from 4-star Chris Washington Jr., the Crimson Tide landed a second commitment from 4-star Tarris Bouie. That's two Top-50ish prospects in the 2026 class in three days, moving Alabama up to the No. 3 overall recruiting class. If things go well this weekend, Oats will have them challenging for the No. 1 class.
This weekend, Alabama will host three 5-star visitors: PG Dylan Mingo, SG Caleb Holt, and wing Jaxon Richardson.
Enjoy this, basketball fans. This is the program we've always dreamed of.