According to multiple reports, Alabama senior running back Jam Miller suffered an injury during Saturday's scrimmage that will force him to miss several weeks. Bama Central's Will Miller first reported the news, stating per sources that Miller had an upper body injury that would hold him out.
Another report surfaced shortly thereafter that provided further details of the injury, calling it a dislocated collarbone with an estimated recovery time of six to eight weeks:
According to sources, Alabama RB Jam Miller has suffered a dislocated collarbone that will cause him to miss some time.
— Crimson Coverage (@CrimsonCoverage) August 17, 2025
The estimated time for recovery usually takes six to eight weeks. pic.twitter.com/sVAoasJZZ4
If that timetable is correct, Miller would be out for the Crimson Tide's first three games against Florida State, UL Monroe, and Wisconsin. It would also mean he's pretty questionable for Alabama's trip to Athens to face Georgia, which is undoubtedly the game he and the training staff will be targeting to get him back for. But the game against the Bulldogs is exactly six weeks from now, so everything would have to go perfectly in his recovery for him to be ready in time.
It's an unfortunate injury for Miller as he has been gearing up for a big senior season. Coaches and teammates have raved about the senior back during fall camp, and he's clearly put in the work to bulk up and take on additional carries as the featured back for a second season in a row.
Alabama's RB depth will be tested without Jam Miller
With Miller sidelined, Alabama only has one running back with a lot of game experience in Louisiana transfer Dre Washington. Some questioned why Kalen DeBoer and the staff would have targeted an experienced back in the portal with quality depth already in the room. This is why.
Along with Washington, rising junior Richard Young and redshirt freshman Daniel Hill will likely see a sizable increase in carries for the first few weeks of the season. Both guys are talented, but they don't have much in the way of meaningful carries under their belt. Young has a few, which he got pre-injury last season. Hill has none.
This could also open up a smaller role for a couple of backs who were unlikely to see any carries this season outside of garbage time: redshirt freshman Kevin Riley and true freshman AK Dear.
Alabama has talented players who can fill in for Miller for a few weeks, but this is undoubtedly a tough blow for the Crimson Tide's offense just two weeks before the season opener against Florida State. It's not just about Miller's ability as a runner, but he's an excellent safety valve in the passing game for a first-time starting quarterback. He's also proven to be excellent at picking up blitzes, something that neither Young nor Hill has proven they can do yet.
That could lead to Alabama leaning more on Washington early in the season as a result.
Let's hope Miller recovers quickly. Alabama should be fine the first few weeks of the season without him, but they'll need him for the trip to Athens and beyond.