Kalen DeBoer identifies multiple injured Alabama players as game-time decisions for Week 3

There was some good news that came out of Kalen DeBoer’s midweek teleconference with the media on Wednesday, notably that wide receiver Ryan Williams is set to return against Wisconsin in Week 3 after missing last Saturday’s home opener as he recovered from a concussion he suffered in the Week 1 loss to Florida State. 

Elsewhere on the injury report, though, DeBoer provided far less clarity. The second-year head coach identified three injured players, Jah-Marien Latham, Tim Keenan III, and Jam Miller, as game-time decisions. 

Latham, like Williams, was injured in Tallahassee in Week 1 and did not return to the field in the Tide’s 73-0 blowout win over Louisiana Monroe on Saturday. Keenan and Miller, however, have yet to see the field this season. 

Jah-Marien Latham, Tim Keenan III, and Jam Miller all game-time decisions for Week 3

Latham suffered a lower-body injury in Week 1 and was unable to put weight on his left leg as he was helped to the injury tent on the sideline. Prior to the injury, the sixth-year senior had played 20 snaps on defense, primarily at Kane Wommack’s WOLF linebacker position. Latham appeared on 441 defensive snaps a season ago, with 395 of those at edge rusher. 

Latham’s injury was particularly significant because of his versatility and ability to move up and down the defensive line. Alabama’s depth on the interior has been in question earlier this year with Keenan, a preseason All-American at nose tackle, missing time, and Jeremiah Beaman likely lost for the season with an injury he suffered in practice. 

Keenan is recovering from an ankle injury that required tightrope surgery. Last week, with both Keenan and Beaman out, redshirt freshman Isaia Faga led the team in snaps at nose tackle with 9. He has played 25 nose tackle snaps through two weeks and 42 defensive snaps overall. London Simmons and James Smith have also seen significant time on the interior. 

On the offensive side, first-year starter Ty Simpson has had a mostly full arsenal of weapons, but his running game has been compromised without Miller on the field. The senior, who was Alabama’s leading rusher among returners, suffered a dislocated collarbone in the Tide’s second scrimmage of fall camp. 

In Miller’s absence, Kevin Riley has emerged as the team’s most effective back, turning 16 carries into 100 yards. Richard Young, Dre Washington, Daniel Hill, and true freshman AK Dear have also gotten opportunities in the backfield.

With a bye week looming after the Wisconsin matchup, DeBoer could try to delay all three player's returns or limit their playing time on Saturday to get them back at 100 percent when the Tide make the trip to Athens to play Georgia in Week 5.