Although Alabama might not need all of its key players against Western Kentucky, the team should be at or near full strength for week one. Head coach Kalen DeBoer shared this positive update during his game week press conference on Monday, announcing that junior running back Jam Miller and redshirt junior right guard Jaeden Roberts, both of whom suffered injuries during fall camp, are expected to be ready to play.
Miller is poised for a breakout season alongside sophomore Justice Haynes in the Crimson Tide backfield. If needed, Alabama can manage Miller’s workload during the first couple of games, thanks to the emergence of redshirt freshman Richard Young, which adds depth to their running back rotation.
Jaeden Roberts sustained a hand injury during fall camp that required a minor surgical procedure, as shared by his mother on Twitter. Thankfully, the powerful interior lineman isn’t expected to miss any playing time. He is a crucial component of what could be a dominant Alabama offensive line in 2024.
The only setback on the injury front is that redshirt sophomore inside linebacker Jeremiah Alexander might not be ready for action. While his availability seems uncertain, DeBoer mentioned that Alexander’s timeline “will be close,” indicating that he will likely be evaluated up until game time.
Alexander is a reserve linebacker for the Tide, currently positioned as the fourth option behind Deontae Lawson, Jihaad Campbell, and Justin Jefferson. While Alabama might not need him for week one, his presence will be important for depth and special teams contributions as the SEC schedule progresses.
If Alexander is unavailable early in the season, a young player like the highly athletic true freshman Justin Okoronkwo could benefit. Okoronkwo has received high praise from both Saban’s staff and Kane Wommack’s defensive coaches during the offseason, and he could gain valuable game experience early on.
On the downside, sophomore wide receiver Jalen Hale remains out indefinitely with a knee injury. Although Hale’s absence is significant, he’s been sidelined since the spring, so it shouldn’t have a major impact on Alabama’s offensive plans.
With the season opener just four days away, Alabama is fortunate to have a relatively healthy roster heading into 2024.
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