Alabama’s second and final fall scrimmage came and went Thursday morning inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, and two offensive players were still on the sideline.
Freshman running back EJ Crowell missed his fifth scrimmage since arriving on campus as an early enrollee, while sophomore wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks was held out again after also sitting out the first scrimmage. Brooks had been seen working in practice on Monday, but he did not take part when the team went through the scrimmage on Saban Field.
“As far as guys that are still out, EJ's not scrimmaging, and we're really hopeful that some time next week he's coming back to step on the football field and practice,” Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said Thursday morning. “I would put Lotzeir in the same category. He did not scrimmage today.”
DeBoer had already said after the first scrimmage that he did not expect either player to miss games because of the injuries they’re dealing with. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb gave the same message earlier in the week.
“EJ is doing great,” Grubb said Tuesday. “Sooner than later, he’ll be back.
Definitely not season-ending. Fully expecting to be ready for the first football game.”
There were also a couple of players dealing with longer-term absences, including junior running back AK Dear and freshman defensive back Jordan Edmonds, both of whom were out and did not participate.
The only injury that popped up during Thursday’s scrimmage involved junior college transfer defensive back Nick Sherman, who left with a lower body injury, according to DeBoer.
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Alabama's Quarterback Battle Comes With One Early Concern
Alabamas quarterback competition has reached the point where the staff can finally start narrowing the field, with Austin Mack and Keelon Russell headlining the discussion as the Crimson Tide move through fall camp toward the 2026 season. Coaches have taken a measured approach with both players, and that caution makes sense given the broader shape of the roster, where defensive coordinator Kane Wommack is also sorting through inside linebacker options as the season nears.
The real challenge for Alabama is not simply picking a winner, but feeling good about how ready that winner will be when the games begin. Mack and Russell both bring promise, yet each has far less game experience than what most SEC programs lean on at quarterback, which helps explain why the staff is being deliberate. The competition should sharpen after the final fall camp scrimmage, but the early concern is already clear: the Tide need more than upside, they need a quarterback who can handle the leagues speed with limited live reps. [Read more 🡒]
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Alabamas wide receiver competition has settled into a familiar spring and summer storyline, with two spots already spoken for and one more still up for grabs. Ryan Coleman-Williams and Lotzeir Brooks are locked in as starters, while the third opening has been left unsettled by the injury to NC State transfer Noah Rogers, creating a lane for the younger receivers to make a move.
Derek Meadows has been the name climbing lately, with the sophomore drawing more snaps in recent scrimmages and earning praise from both coaches and teammates. Rico Scott has also put together a promising stretch in practice, giving Alabama more than one option to watch as the battle for that third receiver role continues to take shape. [Read more 🡒]