Alabama’s defensive line depth was supposed to be one of the comfortable parts of preseason camp. That idea is about to get stressed immediately.
Junior Jeremiah Beaman was injured during Sunday’s preseason practice, and Kalen DeBoer’s comments suggested this is not a minor setback. DeBoer said the staff has a sense of what happened, but he held off on giving details until there is more clarity.
“Jeremiah did get hurt yesterday,” DeBoer said. “We have an idea of what the injury is. I would wait to comment on it until we get a further understanding, and that would probably be tomorrow.”
For Beaman, it’s another painful turn. He missed all but one game last season after tearing his ACL in practice before the home opener against UL Monroe. He had worked his way back into position for a bigger role this year, so another significant injury would be a tough blow for the rising junior.
And it lands at a spot where Alabama expected to have answers. The Crimson Tide brought in three transfers - Devan Thompkins, Terrance Green and Kedrick Bingley-Jones - and those three are projected to form the starting group up front.
The trouble is what comes next. Beaman had been projected as the backup nose tackle behind Green, and his absence could push a heavier load onto junior Steve Bolo Mboumoua. He looks like the most natural fit at nose, but Kane Wommack has said there’s still work to do before he’s ready for a major snap count.
“I think he’s got to continue to take steps in the right direction of just knowing what to do consistently, and that ultimately will define how many snaps he takes and in what situations,” Wommack said.
Bingley-Jones can slide inside to the nose, and sophomore London Simmons can do the same. That flexibility gives Alabama options, but Beaman’s injury still puts the unit’s depth to an immediate test.
DeBoer said an update could come tomorrow, though that likely means more testing rather than good news. For Beaman, it’s another frustrating setback after all the work to get back. For Alabama, it’s a reminder that even a unit built to absorb hits has to prove it can do exactly that.
In Other News...
Alabama Already Has A Preseason Injury Problem Fans Will Be Watching
Alabamas preseason work has already been interrupted by a handful of injury situations, and Jeremiah Beamans practice injury is the latest name to watch as camp moves along. The defensive lineman went down during practice, and the full details are still pending, adding another layer of concern to a depth chart that is already being tested before the season even gets going.
There is at least some encouraging movement elsewhere, with receiver Lotzeir Brooks nearing full participation and running back EJ Crowell still working back while trying to get ready for the opener. But Alabama is also dealing with camp injuries to AK Dear and cornerback Jorden Edmonds, both of whom are expected to miss the start of the season, so the early weeks of camp now have a very different feel than the staff likely hoped for. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Could Be Eyeing An Unusual Roster Reunion
Kalen DeBoer has at least left the door cracked on an unusual roster move, acknowledging Alabama could explore bringing back a player from the high school class of 2022 even though that players college eligibility has already expired. For a program that is constantly balancing present needs with long-term roster planning, the possibility adds a strange layer to an offseason that already has more than enough uncertainty.
The name most closely tied to the idea is guard Kam Dewberry, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons but is not projected to make their 53-man roster. His situation sits in the middle of a messy eligibility landscape, shaped by recent NCAA rule changes and ongoing legal challenges tied to extensions for the class of 2022, leaving the door open just enough for Alabama to keep monitoring it. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama WR Rico Scott Is Pushing For A Bigger Fall Role
Rico Scotts summer was slowed by health issues, but Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said the receiver has eased back into practice and is trending in the right direction. The bigger development for the Crimson Tide is what Scott has shown since then: more physical play, better work at the catch point and a steadier presence in the mix as Alabama sorts out its receiving rotation for the fall.
For a player who finished last season with 11 catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns, the path to a larger role is starting to come into focus. Scott does not need a headline-grabbing leap to matter, only enough consistency to stay on the field and give Alabama another dependable option as the offense settles in. [Read more 🡒]