Alabama is dealing with some significant injury issues heading into today's Third Saturday in October matchup at Tennessee.
Three starters have already been ruled out: WR Ryan Coleman-Williams, C Racin Delgatty, and DT Terrance Green. All three were knocked out of the game last week against Georgia and will now miss this weekend in Knoxville.
While none of those guys being ruled out was a surprise, a late addition to the Tide's availability report was surprising.
Sophomore TE Josh Ford, who played last week against Georgia just six days after undergoing surgery to repair a broken arm, was listed as questionable on Alabama's availability report on Friday night.
Josh Ford is questionable for Alabama at Tennessee
Alabama has taken a major step forward running the football this year, and that should serve them well in a difficult road environment at Neyland Stadium to help sophomore QB Keelon Russell settle into the game.
Unfortunately, the portal additions of Delgatty and Ford have been big reasons why the running game has taken a massive step forward. Now, Alabama may be without both on Rocky Top.
It's not known whether Ford is listed as questionable because of the arm injury or because of something else that popped up late in the week. What we do know is that the Oklahoma State transfer is an absolute warrior, and they would probably have to steal his helmet and hide it to keep him off the field this afternoon in Knoxville. Even then, he'd probably try to give it a go.
If Ford is out, expect some more playing time for junior Jay Lindsey, who is one of five tight ends who have seen real playing time for the Crimson Tide this year. Kaleb Edwards and Marshall Pritchett have been the receiving options - both of whom block well, too - while Ford, Danny Lewis, and Lindsey have been predominantly used as blockers.
This time of the year, injuries become a real factor. It's mid-October, and everyone is dealing with various ailments. Depth becomes key. Nobody has the depth they used to have a decade ago, but Kalen DeBoer has done a good job of getting a lot of different guys reps early in the season to help account for the injuries they are currently dealing with.
If Ford is out, Alabama should be confident in Lindsey's ability to step in and give them quality snaps. But I expect Ford to play.
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