Alabama starting running back Jam Miller suffered a dislocated collarbone in the Crimson Tide’s second and final scrimmage of fall camp, which kept him out of the team’s Week 1 loss to Florida State. Now, Miller is nearing a return, but won’t be able to make it when Alabama hosts Louisiana Monroe at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night in Week 2.
Miller was Alabama’s second-leading rusher last season, and with Jalen Milroe leaving for the NFL and Justice Haynes transferring to Michigan, the Tide missed him dearly in Week 1. Alabama ran for just 87 yards on 29 carries in Tallahassee, averaging 3.0 yards a carry, and Richard Young, who led all running backs with nine attempts, managed only 26 yards.
Kevin Riley was a bright spot in the backfield for the Tide, turning his five carries into 31 yards, but without Milroe to present a threat with his legs, Alabama doesn’t appear to be a team that can dominate on the ground this year. The offensive line looked especially shaky with starting right guard Jaeden Roberts missing Week 1.
To make matters worse for Alabama, Haynes ran wild for Michigan. In the Wolverines' season-opening win over New Mexico in The Big House, the former Alabama running back went for 159 yards and three touchdowns on just 16 carries with a long of 59. Haynes was more efficient than Miller last season, and could be proving to be a bigger loss than Kalen DeBoer anticipated.
With Miller out, it will once again be a rotating cast in the backfield, with Young, Riley, Dre Washington, and Daniel Hill all expected to see carries. If the Tide build a big lead on ULM, 2025 four-star AK Dear may get his first opportunity at the collegiate level.
Dear wouldn’t be the first freshman making an impact for offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. Last week, Rico Scott, a four-star freshman wide receiver, caught two passes and scored the first touchdown of his career.
Quarterback Ty Simpson struggled in his first start, so Alabama needs a run game to protect its inexperienced quarterback. So, the Tide need Miller back to full strength by Week 5 when they take a trip to Athens.
Jam Miller Week 2 injury update:
During his Wednesday conference call with the media, DeBoer updated Miller’s status, saying that the senior running back “is doing well and will not be available this week, but coming along as good as you could expect.”
Miller is OUT for Week 2, but may have a chance to play in Week 3 against Wisconsin.