Kalen DeBoer provides injury updates on three Alabama players

Oct 5, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Tim Keenan III (96) sneaks a peek into the back field against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Alabama should get a boost next week, as running back Jam Miller and defensive tackle Tim Keenan III are expected to return from their respective injuries. But how much the starting duo plays during the Crimson Tide’s SEC opener at Georgia remains to be seen. 

Miller has yet to play after injuring his collarbone during preseason camp. The senior back is Alabama’s top returning rusher after running for 668 yards and seven touchdowns. He also recorded 16 catches for 155 yards and a score through the air. 

“He’s got some explosiveness, he’s got great strength,” head coach Kalen DeBoer said during an appearance at the Monday Morning Quarterback Club in Birmingham, Alabama. “We really count on him, and he had a great fall camp, so hopefully he can get back in the swing of things.” 

With Miller sidelined, Alabama started Richard Young during the opener against Florida State before starting Kevin Riley the past two games against Louisiana-Monroe and Wisconsin. 

Keenan’s return would be a welcome sight for Alabama’s short-handed defensive line. The team captain has not played this season after undergoing tightrope surgery in late August. 

Alabama is currently down to its third-string defensive lineman, London Simmons, after Keenan’s replacement, Jeremiah Beaman, suffered a season-ending lower-body injury in practice leading up to the Week 2 game against ULM. Last season, Keenan recorded 40 tackles, including 7.5 stops for a loss and 2.5 sacks, to go with a pair of quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. While the redshirt senior is likely to play against Georgia, DeBoer said Keenan will be limited upon his return. 

“With any injury, there’s a volume increase that has to happen and a progression,” DeBoer said. “This week, we’ll keep building on a few of the things he did last week. I don’t know what that will be yet at this point, kind of see depending the progress he makes. I don’t anticipate that he’ll be able to go out and just play a full game, maybe at the number of snaps that he would if he was completely healthy.”

DeBoer provided one final bit of injury news on Monday, stating that edge rusher LT Overton is expected to play against Georgia after leaving last week’s game with an injury. 

No. 14 Alabama (2-1) will have an open week this week before traveling to No. 5 Georgia (3-0) on Sept. 27. The game is set to kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be televised on ABC.