What the stat sheet says about Alabama's injury report ahead of LSU

Alabama Injury Report 

Probable: None

Questionable: None

Out: WR Cole Adams, DB Keon Sabb

Overview

The injury report was limited for Alabama headed in to their matchup with LSU. The Crimson Tide will only be missing two players wide receiver Cole Adams and safety Keon Sabb. Adams this season has seen a limited roll in the passing game but has been a major contributor on special teams and the Crimson Tide will be without the services of one of their top contributors in the defensive backfield in Sabb. Here is what the stat sheet says about each player. 

Cole Adams 

Redshirt Freshman wide receiver Cole Adams will miss the remainder of the season with a lower-body injury per Alabama head coach Karen DeBoer. Adams has been a reliable third choice for quarterback Jalen Milroe. On the year Adams has posted six catches on 9 targets for 94 yards, with his best performance of the year coming against South Carolina. In that game, he had two grabs on three targets for 57 yards. 

From a production perspective, the loss of Adams in the receiving room isn’t a huge blow his six catches on the year represent just 4.1% of Alabama’s receptions this season and his 94 yards account for just 4.6% of Alabama’s receiving yards this season.

His main in-game production has been on special teams. His 11 punt returns are the most on the squad and makeup 68% of Alabama’s punt returns this season. The good news for Alabama is Jaylen Mbakwe and Ryan Williams have also spent time returning punts for the Crimson Tide and averaged 28 yards and 7.8 yards respectively this season. The concern for the Tide will be fewer veteran players taking kicks. A muffed punt can easily lead to disaster and while the Crimson Tide haven’t put one on the ground yet this season, missing your primary returner does increase the likelihood of mistakes.

Keon Sabb 

Bringing in Redshirt Sophomore Keon Sabb was one of Kalen DeBoer’s biggest transfer portal wins this season. Sabb who won a national title with the Michigan Wolverines last season has been a major contributor to the Crimson Tide this season.

Even after Sabb was sidelined with an injury against Tennessee the defensive back still sits near the top of the stat sheet for the Crimson Tide. His two interceptions are tied for the team lead, he is fourth on the defense in snaps played this season despite missing the Mizzou game playing 455 of Alabama’s 602 defensive snaps this season, or 75%.

For tackles, he has been one of Alabama’s top guys on the season. He is 4th on the squad in tackles this season with 29 and makes up seven percent of the 393 total tackles this season. His 9 tackles in the running game this season tie for second among the defensive backs this season. 

The area where Sabb has struggled this year is in the passing game. His 18 catches allowed on 25 targets is tied for 33rd most in the SEC and is second most on the squad. His ProFootballFocus passing grade of 60.2 is the 16th worst in the SEC among players who have played 50% or more snaps this season. 

Despite the struggles in coverage Sabb has been one of the best tacklers in the SEC on passing snaps. His 20 tackles in the passing game are tied for 14th in the SEC while he has only missed three tackles working in pass coverage this season.

No.11 Alabama will be in action against No.15 LSU on Saturday, November 9th with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 PM.