Alabama may be waiting until the last possible moment to learn whether Josh Ford can suit up against Georgia, but the junior tight end is making his case.
Kalen DeBoer said Wednesday on the SEC coaches teleconference that Ford broke his arm in Alabama’s win over Mississippi State last Saturday, had surgery on Sunday and is pushing to play in Saturday’s showdown with No. 2 Georgia.
“Actually, progressing along fairly well right now,” DeBoer said. “We'll kind of see how the week continues for him, and I know where his mindset's at.
We’ve just got to make sure he meets the levels that we need him to meet as far as being physically ready. He's doing a great job.
It's it's going well. So you know, we’re optimistic.”
Ford’s stat line this season is small - one catch for three yards - but that grab mattered. It was a one-handed touchdown against South Carolina, and his value to the Crimson Tide goes well beyond the box score. He’s been an important piece in Alabama’s blocking game, helping in both the run and pass game.
If Ford can’t go, Alabama does have options at the position. Marshall Pritchett, Kaleb Edwards, Danny Lewis Jr. and Jay Lindsey have all logged meaningful snaps in the tight end rotation.
DeBoer said the group has responded to Ford’s style of play, and that his approach has rubbed off on the rest of the offense.
“Other guys have stepped up throughout the year and are eager for their opportunity,” DeBoer said. “They all just don't want to let each other down, much less the team.
“He [Ford] brought that kind of physicality and that mindset, kind of showed that group and our offense what finishing looked like. It's become contagious.
Others guys have done the same thing. It's become contagious.
But his mindset is exactly what you'd want.”
Alabama’s first official SEC availability report for the Georgia game comes out Wednesday night, with additional reports due Thursday and Friday. The final report will be released 1.5 hours before kickoff on Saturday.
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