Alabama left Knoxville with a 26-10 loss to Tennessee, and the injury picture around the Crimson Tide got even clearer afterward. Kalen DeBoer had already been missing three starters because of injuries, and two more key players were knocked out during the game itself.
Cornerback and captain Zabien Brown and running back EJ Crowell both headed to the locker room in the second quarter. Brown came back out in street clothes, while Crowell stayed in uniform but never returned. DeBoer said after the game that both were dealing with lower-extremity injuries, and he expanded on that Monday.
"A lot of these guys are in the same boat," DeBoer said. "Zabien has a lower leg injury. Trying to evaluate throughout the week what he looks like.
"EJ, lower leg injury. Just kind of continue to evaluate, we'll kind of see where he's at here in the next couple days. I would expect him to practice for the week for sure."
There was also more clarity on Ryan Coleman-Williams. ESPN’s Katie George reported before kickoff that Alabama’s captain and wide receiver had undergone arthroscopic surgery for a meniscus injury he has been managing for three weeks. He was ruled out for Tennessee on Wednesday, and DeBoer said Monday he shouldn’t be expected back on the practice field immediately.
"Ryan... I would not expect him to be practicing all week long, but we'll kind of see as the week gets to the end of what that looks like," DeBoer said.
Center Racin Delgatty, who was injured late in the Oct. 10 loss to Georgia, also remained unavailable against Tennessee after moving from questionable to doubtful to out over the three days before the game. DeBoer said Delgatty is making progress, though the timing remains uncertain.
"Racin is really in the same boat, so just kind of go to him," DeBoer said. "He's progressing pretty well, though, and so you know we'll see. He can be week to week."
Nose tackle Terrance Green, who limped off late in the first half against Georgia and did not return, was also held out against the Volunteers. Green had reaggravated an injury from the week before and was limited in practice, and Alabama missed him badly in the second half as Tennessee found room to run.
"Terrance is progressing. I really they're all kind of kind of the same on the same spot. So Terrance is week-to-week right now."
In Other News...
Tennessee's Celebration Just Added Another Twist To This Alabama Rivalry
Tennessees latest win over Alabama already carried the usual rivalry weight, and now it has come with an SEC penalty attached. The league fined the Volunteers $500,000 after fans rushed the field following the victory, a scene that has become familiar in college football but still runs afoul of conference policy when it crosses the line into the competition area.
For Alabama, the detail that stands out is where that money is headed. The fine will be paid to the Crimson Tide, while Tennessee does have a path to argue for a reduction if it can show it took steps to prevent the breach or that contact was minimal. The SEC also leaves room for schools to stage on-field celebrations, but only if they submit procedures in advance and get them approved, which gives this rivalry another layer of paperwork to go with the emotion. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Faces A Brutal Truth After Tennessee Exposed This Weakness
Alabamas trip to Tennessee turned into a blunt reminder of where things stand after a 26-10 loss that sent the Crimson Tide into consecutive regular-season defeats for the first time since 2007. ESPN analyst Greg McElroy pointed to the line of scrimmage as the defining issue, with Tennessee dictating play and Alabama unable to match the Volunteers physical edge.
The offensive problems only made the night harder to absorb, as turnovers and an ineffective rushing attack left Alabama searching for answers. Tennessees strong ground game helped control the flow throughout, and now the Tide head into an important rebound spot against Texas A&M with pressure to respond quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Jalen Hurts Facing A Much More Serious Absence Than Fans Expected
Jalen Hurts is dealing with far more than the calf injury fans first assumed, and the update has quickly shifted the conversation from week-to-week recovery to something much more serious. According to his agent Nicole Lynn, Hurts has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in the injured calf and bilateral pulmonary emboli, a setback that explains why he has been placed on blood thinners and cannot take part in contact activities, including football.
The encouraging part is that Hurts is clinically stable and expected to make a full recovery, but the timeline makes clear this is not a short-term issue. He is projected to miss about three months, leaving Alabama without one of its most important players for an extended stretch while the team waits for his health to normalize before football becomes a realistic possibility again. [Read more 🡒]