Alabama’s first home SEC game of the season comes with a little more clarity on the injury front, and a couple of notable names are on South Carolina’s availability report.
No. 8 Alabama will host the Gamecocks on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 6 p.m.
CT, in the Crimson Tide’s second SEC game of the 2026 season. Under the SEC’s 2024 policy, conference matchups now come with mandatory injury reports for football, basketball and baseball.
On the first report, players are tagged as “probable,” “questionable,” “doubtful,” or “out.” On game day, that changes to either “game-time decision,” or “out.”
If a player disappears from the report altogether, that means he’s officially available. This report will continue to be updated through the week.
Two of the more prominent names listed are Justin Hill and Desmond Umeozulu. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer did not mention either Wolf linebacker when he gave his injury update during Monday’s press conference.
DeBoer did, however, say running back AK Dear and wide receiver Noah Rogers “will be available.” Neither has played this season because of injuries. Both were in uniform for the Florida State game, but neither saw action.
“Again, just really progressing well in practice, just being comfortable with them out there and the reps that they need to be able to go out there at a high level," DeBoer said of Dear and Rogers. "And a little bit is them and how they feel, and also a little bit with the reps that they can get to where they can go execute. And we’ve got some other guys that are in those positions right now that are getting their job done.
“I have no doubt that these guys can come in and help us, but they need to be at a level where they can fly around and do their thing, as well. So, we’re excited to have them back.
I love seeing the reps that they’re getting out there. I feel like they’re getting more and more confident with just their injuries and return over the last couple of weeks, for sure.”
The report also includes Jeremiah Beaman and Cayden Jones, both of whom are out for the 2026 season. Beaman tore his ACL in practice about two weeks before the opener, and he had already torn his ACL in Week 1 of the 2025 season. DeBoer announced Jones’ situation on Sept. 21, though he did not disclose the junior’s diagnosis.
One player who will not be on the field Saturday but does not appear on the report is Chris Booker. DeBoer said Monday that the freshman offensive lineman is no longer with the team, and Alabama removed him from the official roster on Tuesday.
In Other News...
Alabama Has 3 Pressure Points Against South Carolina Fans Should Watch
Alabama heads into its Week 4 matchup with South Carolina at Bryant-Denny Stadium with a few areas that could shape the night, and the Crimson Tides improved running game is near the top of the list. Daniel Hill has helped give Alabama more life on the ground, and that added balance could matter against a Gamecocks defense that will be trying to make the Tide earn every yard.
On the other side, cornerback Dijon Lee Jr. faces a tricky assignment against South Carolinas receivers, while special teams could also swing field position if punt returner Vicari Swain gets space to work. Both Shane Beamer and Kane Wommack have already offered clues about how they view the matchup, and for Alabama, the key question is whether those pressure points become advantages once the game starts. [Read more 🡒]
Jalen Hurts Opened Up About The Quarterback Legacy That Shaped Him
Jalen Hurts paused to reflect on the kind of quarterback who helped shape his own path when he saw a banner honoring Steve McNair at Nissan Stadium. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback spoke about McNair as a major influence and inspiration during his development, a reminder that the games history reaches well beyond what shows up in the box score.
Hurts also tied McNairs legacy to the broader story of Black quarterbacks and the obstacles they have faced over time. For a player whose rise has often carried added significance, the moment brought those connections into focus in a personal way, underscoring how much the trailblazers before him still matter. [Read more 🡒]
Auburns SEC Opener Suddenly Carries More Pressure Than Expected
Auburns SEC opener is landing with a little more weight than it looked like a few weeks ago, and that is only making the trip by South Carolina more interesting for Alabama fans watching the league race unfold. Conference games have started to define the season more sharply, and this one comes with the usual mix of pressure, preparation and a reminder that early results can change how everyone views the road ahead.
South Carolina at Alabama is part of a slate that also includes Vanderbilt at Auburn, with recent performances, coaching situations and player health all feeding into the preview work around the league. The expectation is that these matchups will tell us more about where teams really stand, but the bigger point for the Tide is clear: once SEC play starts, every weekend seems to carry a little more consequence than the last. [Read more 🡒]