TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer hadn’t talked to reporters since his weekend assertion about Jam Miller’s harm. DeBoer introduced on Sunday morning that the senior operating again suffered an upper-body harm in final Saturday’s scrimmage and underwent a process later that night. Initially, a timetable to return was “to be decided.”
On Thursday, after preseason apply No. 18, DeBoer supplied the most recent on Miller.
“His harm was a bit of extra important than what I believed after I was there for the press convention with you guys final, discovered extra data afterwards,” DeBoer mentioned. “So, he’ll be out. We’ll go week by week, however he’ll be out for the primary recreation for certain, and we’ll play it from there.”
A senior and probably the most skilled operating again on the Crimson Tide’s 2025 workforce, Miller was the one Alabama again who carried the ball 100 or extra occasions, or 10-plus occasions per recreation, and completed second on the workforce in each dashing class behind quarterback Jalen Milroe. The 2024 season was Miller’s most concerned, as he ran for 668 yards and 7 touchdowns on 145 carries. He additionally caught 16 passes for 155 yards and one other landing final 12 months.
Alabama has 5 different scholarship operating backs on its roster. Richard Younger, Daniel Hill and Kevin Riley return, whereas the Crimson Tide added Louisiana switch Dre Washington and prime 100 highschool recruit AK Pricey this offseason. Younger, Hill and Washington are prone to see important carries in Miller’s absence, however DeBoer must see extra from your entire group.
“Simply searching for somebody to separate themselves,” DeBoer mentioned. “That’s actually the state of affairs. I really feel like Jam was definitely at a better degree than these guys. I do know they’re hungry, they usually wanna do it. Now they only gotta present us, and it’s not only one space, it’s all phases. It’s operating the ball, it’s move safety, it’s simply all of these issues mixed.
“Every man’s acquired some instruments, acquired some issues that they will do, however want them to face out, as a result of there’s type of a log jam there. Every of them have their strengths, they usually all can match into the offense in some type or vogue.”
DeBoer gives updates on two injured linemen
Whereas Miller’s harm was revealed after the scrimmage, DeBoer informed the native media {that a} pair of linemen didn’t take part within the 105-play apply. For the second weekend in a row, offensive guard Jaeden Roberts (concussion) and defensive deal with James Smith have been held out of UA’s scrimmage. After Thursday’s apply, DeBoer gave an replace on every lineman.
“He isn’t taking any workforce reps or something proper now,” DeBoer mentioned of Roberts. “Nonetheless making that progress via that protocol that we’re on together with his harm.”
As for Smith, the replace was extra constructive, as DeBoer expects the third-year defensive lineman to be able to go for Alabama’s season opener at Florida State (August 30 at 2:30 p.m. CT).
“He’s training,” DeBoer mentioned. James is training.”
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