The biggest personnel note on Alabama’s Friday availability report is the absence of its top receiving threat.
Ryan Coleman-Williams is listed as out for the Crimson Tide, a significant development for a team headed into Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. ET matchup with No.
14 Tennessee in Neyland Stadium. Through six games, Coleman-Williams has piled up 415 yards and four touchdowns on 23 catches, and he leads Alabama in each of those categories, with his receptions total tied by Lotzeir Brooks.
Alabama’s list of unavailable players is a long one. Along with Coleman-Williams, the Tide have listed LB Desmond Umeozulu, LB Cayden Jones, DB Nick Sherman, DL Jeremiah Beaman, DL Terrance Green, and OL Racin Delgatty as out. Josh Ford is questionable, while LB Justin Hill is probable.
Delgatty’s status has been trending the wrong way all week. He moved from questionable to doubtful to out across the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday reports, and he is Alabama’s starting center.
Tennessee, meanwhile, got a cleaner bill of health. The Vols’ Friday report does not include any major surprises, with most of the players listed as out already dealing with season-ending injuries. The notes also indicate that Wendell Moe Jr. is out for the season with an injury.
Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon, who was questionable on Wednesday and Thursday, has been removed from the injury report.
The SEC will continue to update availability reports ahead of conference games on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights, with one more report coming before kickoff on game day. Tennessee enters the matchup at 5-1 after a road win at Arkansas last weekend, while Alabama is also 5-1 with wins over Mississippi State, South Carolina, Florida State, and Kentucky. As of Wednesday night, the Volunteers were an 8.5-point underdog.
In Other News...
Tennessees Biggest Alabama Question Just Got More Tense
The buildup to Saturdays matchup in Neyland Stadium already had the feel of a measuring-stick game, and the latest availability reports only sharpened it. No. 14 Tennessee enters at 5-1 with a visit from No. 6 Alabama set for 3:30 p.m. ET, and the Volunteers are still sorting through the status of quarterback Faizon Brandon as the week winds down.
Alabama brings its own injury concerns into the rivalry game, with several players listed as out or doubtful, including star wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams. For Tennessee, the question is less about the opponents attrition and more about how much clarity it will have at the most important position before kickoff, with updated reports now giving the fan base one more thing to track before Saturday arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee's Playoff Hopes May Come Down To One Alabama Problem
Tennessee heads into its matchup with Alabama with plenty still hanging in the balance, and the contrast in strengths and weaknesses makes this one feel like more than just another SEC showdown. The Vols have leaned on a defense that has kept them in games, while the offense has had trouble finding the kind of rhythm needed to keep pace against a high-end opponent. Xavier Gilliam is among the defensive names to watch as Tennessee tries to make life uncomfortable for an Alabama attack led by quarterback Keelon Russell.
The setting matters almost as much as the matchup itself, because Alabama has not had much experience dealing with Neyland Stadium in this kind of spot. Injuries only add another layer to the equation for Tennessee, which is trying to protect its playoff case while also solving an Alabama problem that has lingered all season. For the Vols, the path forward may depend on whether their defense can keep carrying the load long enough for the offense to find answers when it matters most. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee's First Reality Check Exposed Two Problems Fans Can't Ignore
Tennessees exhibition loss to Xavier offered an early reminder that the offense is not the only part of this roster worth watching. The Volunteers had stretches where the scoring looked promising, and Terrence Hill Jr. and Juke Harris stood out as important contributors, but the bigger takeaway came on the other end of the floor. For a team trying to build toward the season, the game showed enough offensive upside to be intriguing while also exposing defensive issues that were hard to miss.
The second half in particular underscored where the problems are most urgent, with Tennessee struggling to get the stops needed to keep Xavier from pulling away. The forward rotation also came into focus, because the way that group performs will help define how stable this team can be once games count. For now, the exhibition provided a useful snapshot: the Volunteers have scoring potential, but the defensive consistency still needs real work. [Read more 🡒]