Alabama football has its first major injury of spring practice, and it is at a position where fans were really excited about.

Tony Tsoukalas of Sports Illustrated was first to report news on Tuesday of wide receiver Jalen Hale suffering a leg injury.

More confirmation came via close sources to Touchdown Alabama Magazine. Per sources, it is a knee injury for Hale and will probably require surgery. Hale, a native of Longview, Texas, arrived in the Crimson Tide's 2023 recruiting class as a four-star.

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He showed potential as a freshman, catching five passes for 148 yards and a touchdowns in 13 games. The 6-foot-1, 189-pounder had his first career touchdown reception versus Ole Miss at Bryant-Denny Stadium. He brought in a 33-yard pass in the end zone from Jalen Milroe against the Rebels. Hale was an explosive three-sport athlete at Longview High School, excelling at football, basketball, and track and field. He assisted the Tide to a Southeastern Conference Championship last season and was projected to have a bigger role on the team. Kobe Prentice, a junior receiver, told reporters on Tuesday that Hale has matured as a player. 

"He is more dialed in," Prentice said about Hale.

"He is prepared to take on a bigger role this year. He is very fast, has sneaky speed so you have to watch out for that. He is a swift guy, can get in and out of breaks really smooth. I think he's going to be great."

Hale was in a position to be a starter in the fall. Hopefully, he will bounce back from this.

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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.