Alabama TE Josh Cuevas hasn't played since the regular-season meeting against Oklahoma a month ago. He suffered an injury in practice the following week and has been held out ever since.
While the senior began the week as questionable, he was upgraded to "Probable" on Alabama's latest availability reports on both Wednesday and Thursday. OC Ryan Grubb and QB Ty Simpson both alluded to Cuevas being available for Friday night's game against Oklahoma.
But the latest report has cast doubt on Cuevas' ability to play, and how much he could play if he is able to give it a go.
ESPN's Holly Rowe reported during the Myrtle Beach Bowl on Friday afternoon that Cuevas was a "game-time decision" and if he's able to play, the best-case scenario would be 20-25 snaps.
ESPN's Holly Rowe during halftime of Myrtle Beach Bowl on Alabama TE Josh Cuevas: "Is expected to return. Coaches say he's truly a game-time decision, but best-case scenario he can play 20-to-25 snaps."
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) December 19, 2025
Josh Cuevas is a game-time decision vs. Oklahoma, per ESPN
So IF Cuevas is able to play tonight, it sounds like the senior tight end will be on a pitch count.
That's not the news Alabama fans were hoping for. Things had been trending in a positive direction all week for Cuevas' return, and while it still seems more likely than not that he'll be able to play, how effective he can be against Oklahoma remains to be seen.
Cuevas had an excellent game against the Sooners last month in Tuscaloosa. He led Alabama in receiving, catching six passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. His absence has been felt by Simpson and the rest of the Crimson Tide offense.
Even in defeat against the Sooners, it felt like Alabama's offense had figured some things out. The Crimson Tide racked up over 400 yards of offense against an elite Oklahoma defense, but came up short on the scoreboard thanks to losing the turnover battle by three.
Cuevas was a big reason for Alabama's offensive success in the regular-season meeting. His potential availability for tonight's game was a big reason for optimism that the Crimson Tide could avenge their loss.
If he's unable to go, a lot will be on the plate of freshmen Kaleb Edwards and Marshall Pritchett. Redshirt junior Danny Lewis Jr. has also been listed as "probable" this week, so he could play a role as well after battling injuries for the majority of the season.