Kalen DeBoer provides positive injury updates on two banged-up Alabama WRs

Alabama's deep WR room suddenly found itself pretty thin last week against South Carolina.

True freshman Lotzeir Brooks was ruled out for the game with an undisclosed injury on Friday, and with Derek Meadows not yet back up to speed following a concussion, the Tide began the game limited at WR.

Late in the first half of Alabama's win over the Gamecocks, junior Isaiah Horton got dinged up and didn't return. That caused a lot to be on the plate of redshirt freshman Rico Scott, who saw his biggest role of the season.

For the majority of the second half, Alabama rolled with Scott alongside Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams. Meadows got a handful of snaps, but Alabama supplemented more with tight ends than going down the depth chart with guys like Cole Adams and Jaylen Mbakwe.

Bernard was on the field for all 69 of Alabama's offensive snaps against South Carolina. Williams was out there for 60 of them. Scott saw 47 snaps. Snap count data comes from PFF.

That had an impact in the second half as all three seemed a bit gassed down the stretch. All of them dropped passes, including the always reliable Bernard, who was credited with his first drop of the season.

That's why Kalen DeBoer's update on Horton and Brooks during Wednesday's SEC Teleconference was exceptional news for Alabama fans. DeBoer revealed the recovery is going well for both, and he expects them to be able to play next weekend against LSU following the bye week.

Alabama should have Isaiah Horton and Lotzeir Brooks back for LSU

Both Horton and Brooks have been meaningful contributors for the Crimson Tide this season, and their absences against South Carolina were a big blow for an offense that already didn't have its best stuff in Columbia.

Horton and Brooks are third and fourth respectively in receiving yards this year. Horton has produced 272 yards and is second on the team in touchdown receptions with five, behind only Bernard. Brooks has made an immediate impact as a true freshman, producing 255 yards and leading Alabama's main contributors in yards per catch.

LSU will bring a strong defense, buoyed by an incredibly talented secondary, to Tuscaloosa next weekend. The Tigers will have plenty of motivation in the wake of Brian Kelly's firing to rally together and try to upset Alabama in Bryant-Denny.

Alabama getting back to full strength in its WR room will be key for next weekend's matchup.