While it doesn't sound like either injury is overly serious, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer revealed in his post-scrimmage press conference that two projected Crimson Tide starters were held out of Saturday's first scrimmage of fall camp.
RG Jaeden Roberts and DT James Smith both sat out. Roberts, who had recently been named to the Outland Trophy preseason watchlist, had been surprisingly working with the second-team offense during practice this week. His dealing with an injury could explain why he spent the week working the second-team offensive line.
Smith is Alabama's projected starter at DT next to NT Tim Keenan III.
"All the injuries that we have right now, we got Jaeden Roberts," DeBoer said. "He got dinged up in the middle of the week. Just stuff we're dealing with, we'll keep evaluating him. Don't expect it to be a long-term thing, but we don't know his timeline necessarily.
"James Smith continues to come along. I like the progress he's shown. He didn't scrimmage, neither one of those guys scrimmaged."
Alabama can't afford long-term, lingering injuries for either Roberts or Smith
Alabama's depth on the offensive line and at defensive tackle is a bit questionable, so losing either Roberts or Smith for any period of time will be difficult.
With Roberts out, DeBoer mentioned Alabama didn't rotate as much with the first-team offensive line as they had recently in practice. The Tide feels comfortable with six guys up front, and is working to develop a few more guys to be comfortable playing.
Alabama's first-team offensive line for the scrimmage, from left to right, was Kadyn Proctor, Kam Dewberry, Parker Brailsford, Geno VanDeMark, and Wilkin Formby.
It's not known who filled in for Smith as the first-team defensive tackle in the scrimmage. Most depth chart projections have Edric Hill as the backup, but Florida transfer Kelby Collins has worked inside and out during fall camp so far. Collins was projected to play Bandit when he transferred to Alabama, but he can play both spots. It's needed considering Alabama's lack of proven depth in the middle.
Former 5-star recruit Keon Keeley could also play Bandit and DT this season. He's worked pretty exclusively at Bandit during camp, but he could see more time at defensive tackle if Smith's injury is going to keep him out for any prolonged period of time.
Roberts dealt with numerous injuries throughout last season and has struggled to stay healthy. It's good to hear that whatever he's dealing with isn't long-term, but any kind of nagging injury has to be disheartening for him at this point in time.
Smith dealt with an injury during spring practice that kept him on the sidelines. It's possible that this is a continuation of that, and Alabama is just operating out of an abundance of caution. Smith has practiced normally throughout fall camp, however.
The hope is that both guys are ready by the time Alabama travels to Tallahassee to battle Florida State in three weeks.