In Friday night’s College Football Playoff first-round showdown at Oklahoma, Alabama got a much-needed boost from two key players returning from injury: tight end Josh Cuevas and running back Jam Miller. Neither cracked the starting lineup, but both played meaningful roles in a high-stakes game that demanded depth, grit, and next-man-up mentality. And both delivered.
Let’s start with Cuevas, who hadn’t seen the field in the last three games. Not only did he suit up, but he led all Alabama tight ends in snaps with 28 - and did it while wearing a protective device on his injured foot. That alone speaks volumes about his toughness, but the stat line adds more weight: four catches for 43 yards in a game where every yard mattered.
Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb didn’t hold back in his praise postgame. “Josh Cuevas is one of the toughest kids I’ve ever seen play football,” Grubb said.
“Mentally, physically, to be able to do what he did tonight is absolutely unbelievable.” Grubb even likened Cuevas’ performance to Terrell Owens’ legendary Super Bowl appearance in 2005 with a broken foot - high praise, and not given lightly.
Cuevas wasn’t just available - he was impactful, showing the kind of mental and physical toughness that championship runs are built on.
Kaleb Edwards got the start at tight end, but Cuevas clearly played the lion’s share of snaps and was a go-to option in key moments. That’s not just a return - that’s a statement.
In the backfield, Jam Miller was also back in action after missing the SEC Championship Game. While Daniel Hill got the start and led the way with 43 yards on nine carries, Miller rotated in for seven carries of his own, picking up 11 yards.
The numbers won’t jump off the page, but context matters. Grubb noted that the staff was intentionally limiting Miller’s reps as he works his way back to full health.
Still, Miller showed flashes of his usual physicality and tenacity.
“He’s still nursing back to health a little bit, but he’s a soldier, man,” Grubb said. “He was out there battling.” Miller’s presence alone gave the Tide another dimension offensively - and with the playoff grind just beginning, Alabama will need every weapon it can muster.
There were a few injury scares late in the game, as defensive back Red Morgan and defensive tackle Tim Keenan both had to be helped off the field in the fourth quarter. However, sideline reports indicated that both players could have returned if needed - a promising sign for Alabama’s defense moving forward.
Along the offensive line, Alabama continued to mix and match, a trend that’s become familiar this season. Kam Dewberry returned to the starting lineup at guard after missing the SEC title game, but he rotated with Geno VanDeMark throughout the night. Jaeden Roberts also got a look at right guard for a series, while Wilkin Formby slid out to right tackle temporarily before Michael Carroll returned to the game.
Grubb explained that the rotations were more about managing health and keeping legs fresh than any major shakeup. “Dew and Geno have been rotating a little bit for quite a while,” he said.
“A little bit of that is Dewberry’s foot, just trying to make sure he’s OK. And Geno has been banged up, as well.
Those two older guys are like 0.5 and 0.5, and they make one guy. They did a good job.”
Here’s a closer look at how the Crimson Tide deployed their personnel, based on snap counts:
Quarterback:
- Ty Simpson took all 54 offensive snaps, while Austin Mack and Keelon Russell were dressed but didn’t play.
Running Back:
- Daniel Hill led the way with 31 snaps, followed by Jam Miller (18) and Dre Washington (1). Kevin Riley was unavailable.
Wide Receiver:
- Germie Bernard (52), Isaiah Horton (37), and Ryan Williams (35) saw the most action, with Lotzeir Brooks (23), Rico Scott (4), and Derek Meadows (1) also rotating in.
Tight End:
- Josh Cuevas (28), Kaleb Edwards (18), Danny Lewis Jr. (14), and Jay Lindsey (7) all saw the field. Cuevas was the clear leader despite being banged up.
Offensive Line:
- Left to right: Kadyn Proctor played all 54 snaps (including one as a wide receiver), Parker Brailsford anchored the line at center (54), Wilkin Formby (54) saw time at both guard and tackle, Geno VanDeMark (29) and Kam Dewberry (25) split time at guard, and Michael Carroll (49) returned at right tackle after a brief absence. Jaeden Roberts chipped in five snaps at guard.
Defensive Front:
- On the edge, Jordan Renaud (29) and Keon Keeley (33) handled Bandit duties.
- Inside, Tim Keenan (34) - before his fourth-quarter exit - James Smith (37), Edric Hill (30), London Simmons (18), Kelby Collins (16), and Isaia Faga (13) all contributed at defensive tackle.
Linebackers:
- At Wolf outside linebacker, Yhonzae Pierre led the group with 44 snaps, followed by Qua Russaw (23), Noah Carter (12), and Justin Hill (11).
Alabama’s ability to adapt, rotate, and get meaningful contributions from players returning from injury was a big storyline in this playoff opener. Cuevas and Miller didn’t just return - they helped shape the outcome. And with the offensive line continuing to evolve and the defense staying relatively healthy, the Crimson Tide are positioning themselves well for what’s next.
This is the time of year when depth gets tested and toughness rises to the surface. On Friday night, Alabama showed they’ve got plenty of both.