Kalen DeBoer and Alabama have been dealing with three injuries to projected Crimson Tide starters. On Thursday after practice, DeBoer gave the media an update on all three.
Coming out of last Saturday's scrimmage, Jam Miller suffered a dislocated collarbone. He joined James Smith and Jaeden Roberts on the Tide injury report. Those two missed both of Alabama's scrimmages during fall camp.
Miller's injury wasn't seen as a big deal during the scrimmage, which led to DeBoer not even mentioning it to the media afterwards. The significance was gleaned a little bit later on, and now Miller will unfortunately miss some time.
“His injury was a little more significant than what I thought when I was there for the press conference with you guys last,” DeBoer said. “So, he’ll be out. We’ll go week by week, but he’ll be out for the first game for sure, and we’ll play it from there.”
Miller himself updated his injury this week, stating he expects to be back quickly. Most expectations have the senior running back missing the Tide's first three games of the season and being back in time for the SEC opener in Athens against Georgia.
Jam Miller may not be the only projected starter to miss the Florida State game
DeBoer also provided injury updates for DT James Smith and OG Jaeden Roberts. Smith has returned to practice, per DeBoer, which points to him being available for the season opener in Tallahassee next Saturday.
Smith figures to be a key piece on Alabama's defensive line. DC Kane Wommack is hopeful that the Tide's defensive line can get a better push and create more havoc plays this season. He specifically shouted out Smith as a havoc-creator earlier this week.
"He’s such a havoc-style player," Wommack said. "He can create and generate a lot of havoc in the backfield, which is something I’m excited about and how we’re gonna utilize him in that role.”
The news was less positive on Roberts, who has missed both scrimmages and remains in concussion protocol. DeBoer noted that Roberts was not taking any reps in practice still, which continues to point to him not starting at right guard for Alabama against Florida State next week.
Even prior to the injury, Geno VanDeMark had been working with the first-team at RG. With Roberts missing so much practice time, it seems likely that Alabama will roll with VanDeMark at RG and Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry at LG against the Seminoles, with Roberts hopefully healthy enough to provide some depth if necessary.