Spring practice opens on Sunday for Alabama, and, as usual, there will be a few players who won't be able to suit up due to various injuries.
Spring is the time for development, but it's also the time for caution. Anyone with a lingering ailment or an injury that could potentially get worse will be protected. You don't want anyone carrying something over into the fall that will ultimately cost them games.
According to a report from Alex Scarborough of 247 Sports, Kalen DeBoer announced that Alabama will be without four players during spring practice, and two more will be limited.
Players out:
- DL London Simmons
- OL William Sanders
- TE Danny Lewis Jr.
- DE/LB Jah-Marien Latham
Players limited:
- CB Zabien Brown
- S Bray Hubbard
Soemtimes it's easy to forget when spring ball rolls around that the season just ended two months ago. A lot of guys battle through injuries near the end of the year before having surgery in the offseason to correct issues.
Jah-Marien Latham received a waiver for a 7th season of eligibility, but he won't be able to participate in spring after his neck injury. He's expected to be good to go in the fall.
Danny Lewis Jr. dealt with injuries throughout the season and struggled to stay on the field, so his missing spring practice isn't much of a surprise.
As for Zabien Brown and Bray Hubbard, they don't really need the reps anyway, and Alabama is incredibly deep in the defensive back room, so it will be a nice opportunity for young players to get extra work.
London Simmons and William Sanders, however, could have a pretty substantial impact on two key position battles.
London Simmons and William Sanders injuries could be consequential for OL/DL battles
Both Simmons and Sanders were expected to enter spring looking to position themselves for potential starting roles in the fall.
After playing a lot as a true freshman a year ago, Simmons should still be in good shape going into the fall to potentially replace James Smith at DT, who left in the Transfer Portal. But that's far from a guarantee with Alabama adding two Big Ten transfers in Devan Thompkins (USC) and Terrance Green (Oregon).
Thompkins is likely the favorite to start at Bandit, and Green is the favorite at nose, but Thompkins could certainly be a factor at DT. Edric Hill is also back, and he made several starts in place of Smith and was a major part of the Tide's rotation. Simmons being out could give him a leg up for the job, though both are likely to be major contributors.
Isaia Faga, Steve Mboumoua, and several incoming freshmen will have bigger opportunities, too.
Outside of Michael Carroll at RT, Alabama will be rebuilding its entire offensive line this offseason. The Crimson Tide has 11 new players on the offensive line and a new coach in Adrian Klemm. Sanders is one of just five returning players from last season's unit, and the rising redshirt sophomore had a role on last season's team and was expected to be a major factor for one of the two starting guard spots.
Some even considered Sanders the favorite, but his injury opens the door for several newcomers to make a move and potentially head into the fall in the lead by the time Sanders gets back healthy. Transfers like Ethan Fields (Ole Miss) and Kaden Strayhorn (Michigan) were brought in to compete on the interior of the line, and then there are versatile guys like Nick Brooks (Texas) and Ty Haywood (Michigan) who can play both inside and out.
A returning player like Casey Poe - a fellow rising redshirt sophomore - could use Sanders being out as an opportunity to position himself in the competition, too.