Alabama backup safety Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. was arrested over the weekend during the Crimson Tide's bye week, according to a report from AL.com's Carol Robinson.
Tide 100.9's Wyatt Fulton originally reported on Sunday that the university was investigating an incident involving Kirkpatrick, but no further information was given. Shortly after, Robinson's report broke.
Circumstances surrounding the arrest have not been made immediately clear, but the sophomore was arrested over the weekend and booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail on Saturday on charges of reckless endangerment, attempting to elude, and speeding. Robinson reports that Kirkpatrick was released on $1,500 bond shortly after being booked.
Kirkpatrick's status with the team and the university is not yet known. He is still listed on the online roster, but any discipline handed out by Kalen DeBoer or the university will likely come once more is known about the situation and what exactly happened.
In any case, it's a distraction that the Crimson Tide didn't need over an otherwise quiet bye week.
"We are aware of an incident involving Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. and are working to gather more details at this time," the university said in a statement.
Kirkpatrick is an Alabama legacy. He's the son of former Alabama cornerback and first-round NFL Draft pick Dre Kirkpatrick.
Alabama's defensive back depth would take a big blow without Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.
Kirkpatrick has been carving out more and more of a role in recent weeks, seeing playing time in the defensive backfield. Alabama's depth in the secondary is one of the team's greatest strengths, and if Kirkpatrick Jr. is out, then that's an unfortunate blow as Alabama heads into the stretch run of the season in November.
Kirkpatrick's status with the team is unclear. It's difficult to speculate on what the discipline will be from the team or the university, but it's probably a stretch to believe he would be able to play next weekend against LSU just one week after being arrested.
The sophomore safety had been developing nicely and setting himself up for a solid role the rest of this season and a key piece for the Crimson Tide's defense moving forward in the future.
This is an unfortunate situation for him and the team to have to deal with in crunch time.
We will provide updates on this as soon as more information becomes available.