Alabama’s backfield has been short-handed late in the season, and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb made it clear the issue with AK Dear and EJ Crowell is health.
Crowell, a freshman, and Dear, a sophomore, have both been dealing with injuries, and neither was available for a carry against LSU. Grubb said the staff is still waiting for both players to get back to full strength.
“They gotta get healthy,” Grubb said. “They gotta get healthy.
I mean, it sucks. I mean, I’d love to give EJ the ball 32 times a game, but we just gotta get him healthy, man.
My heart breaks for both those kids because they’re tough as nails and they just, they’ve been going through it, you know, and they work their asses off every week to get back on the field. We hope every week, and I know those guys, they are working so hard to get back out there.
They’ve done a good job to stay in the preparation and do their homework and do the walkthroughs and do everything they’re supposed to do. And EJ tried to give it a go before the game and just had the brace on and just really wasn’t capable of doing that.
So we’re hopeful, obviously, we’re lucky that they’re not season-ending injuries or anything like that, and they’re just still working to get healthy.”
Crowell had been a key part of Alabama’s backfield earlier in the season before disappearing from the rotation in recent weeks. Dear, meanwhile, missed multiple games after suffering an injury in fall camp and has still not carved out a steady role.
In Other News...
Greg McElroy Just Gave Alabama Fans Fresh Playoff Ammo
Greg McElroys latest take has given Alabama fans plenty to latch onto as the College Football Playoff rankings approach, with the former Crimson Tide quarterback arguing the Tide should land at No. 3 and Tennessee at No. 8. His case leaned on Alabamas quality wins and the injury issues the program has had to navigate, a familiar kind of rsum debate this time of year when every detail gets magnified and every slot in the bracket feels up for argument.
For Alabama supporters, McElroys view is more than just a talking point from a former player with deep ties to the program. It adds another layer to the playoff conversation, especially with Tennessee still facing games that could reshape its own path. The reaction to McElroys comments has already sparked plenty of debate, and the next rankings will show whether his perspective matches the committees thinking or just fuels the argument a little longer. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Faces New QB Concern Heading Into Vanderbilt
Keelon Russells ankle became one more thing for Alabama to monitor coming out of the LSU game, even if the freshman quarterback finished the night and kept the offense moving. Kalen DeBoer said Russell is day-to-day after sustaining the injury, a status that keeps the Crimson Tides quarterback picture a little unsettled as Vanderbilt comes into view.
Russells return against LSU mattered because he did not just limp through the finish, he helped deliver a productive performance with three touchdown passes and 206 yards. Still, with the next game looming and no firm timeline beyond day-to-day, Alabama has a small but real concern to sort through as it prepares for the Commodores. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Faces A Key Lineup Concern As One Guard Returns
Amari Allens ankle injury has added a little uncertainty to Alabamas backcourt heading into its next game, even as the Crimson Tide get a familiar piece back in the mix. Allen sprained his right ankle in a recent game, and his status for the matchup with Oakland remains unclear, leaving Alabama to sort through its guard rotation with another availability question hanging over the week.
Aden Holloway, meanwhile, is set to be available again after serving a suspension, giving Alabama at least one more option as it prepares for Oakland. The Golden Grizzlies come in amid the grind of a road trip, and coach Greg Kampe has already talked about the travel and performance issues his team has been dealing with along the way. [Read more 🡒]