Kadyn Proctor "pretty dang close" to returning for Alabama Football

During his Monday press conference, Alabama Footbal coach Kalen DeBoer gave some encouraging news on star LT Kadyn Proctor's status heading into this weekend's matchup against Wisconsin in Madison.

"He'll continue to work on his functional movement and all that stuff early in the week and keep progressing in a way that I feel we're gonna be pretty dang close by the weekend of getting him on the football field," said DeBoer.

Proctor suffered a shoulder injury during pre-game warmups of the Crimson Tide's season opener against Western Kentucky, which has caused him to miss both games so far this season. While Alabama had little trouble with the overmatched Hilltoppers, Proctor's absence was more significantly felt against South Florida.

Alabama struggled mightily up front against the Bulls for 53 and a half minutes of game-time. Elijah Pritchett's return with 6:45 to play spearheaded a dominant finish to the game that allowed the Tide to pull away for a 42-16 win that was anything but as comfortable as the final score indicated.

Proctor's return will be a welcome sight for Alabama fans as the struggles up front has all of 'Bama nation concerned, particularly with Georgia heading to Saban Field in a couple of weeks.

DeBoer also updated the injury statuses of wide receiver Cole Adams and tackle Elijah Pritchett. Adams suffered an arm injury against South Florida and will be limited in practice this week. DeBoer wouldn't go as far as to rule him out, but I would say it isn't likely that Adams will play on Saturday.

Pritchett got through the USF game healthy, and could be in line to start at right tackle on Saturday if Proctor is able to make his season debut. An offensive line left-to-right of Proctor-Tyler Booker-Parker Brailsford-Jaedan Roberts-Pritchett should open up things on offense for the Crimson Tide and allow them to form an identity around power-runs and play-action passes.

Obviously, DeBoer's comments do not mean that Proctor's return this weekend is a guarantee, but it is still positive news and a good indication that in the very least he will be in the lineup against Georgia on September 28th.