Alabama expected to be without star offensive player once again, but there’s still excitement for emerging backfield talent
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Alabama Crimson Tide are less than an hour away from taking on the Wisconsin Badgers from the Big Ten. Vegas currently has Alabama as a 20.5-point favorite, but injuries continue to be something to monitor for Kalen DeBoer’s team.On Friday, Brett McMurphy with On3 reported that the Crimson Tide were likely […]
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Alabama Crimson Tide are less than an hour away from taking on the Wisconsin Badgers from the Big Ten. Vegas currently has Alabama as a 20.5-point favorite, but injuries continue to be something to monitor for Kalen DeBoer’s team.
On Friday, Brett McMurphy with On3 reported that the Crimson Tide were likely to be without starting running back Jam Miller and starting defensive lineman Tim Keenan III. Here’s what he had to say:
“While Kalen DeBoer has said that Jam Miller and Tim Keenan are probably game-time decisions, sources tell On3 that neither are likely to play against Wisconsin,” McMurphy said on Friday morning. “This would give both players two weeks to prepare for Georgia on Sept. 27.
“Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams is expected to play against Wisconsin on Saturday, Kalen DeBoer said earlier this week. DeBoer previously announced that linebacker Jah-Marien Latham will be a game-time decision. Tight end Danny Lewis will be out this weekend.”
On Saturday, both Miller and Keenan ended up back on Alabama’s depth chart for Wisconsin, but then Chris Low, also with On3, provided another update that confirmed McMurphy’s original reporting by saying Miller wasn’t expected to play. He did, however, add some addition information, which included a nugget about backup running back Kevin Riley.
“As On3 reported yesterday, RB Jam Miller not likely to play today for Alabama, giving him two weeks to be healthy vs. Georgia,” Low’s tweet reads. “Redshirt freshman Kevin Riley is coming. OC Ryan Grubb told me in late August that Riley had flashed as much as anybody and was extremely versatile.”
Riley has certainly flashed in the first two games. I wrote about the Tuscaloosa native earlier this week, discussing how he’s gone from preseason depth player to contributor in the season opener, and now he’s emerged as not only the starter with Miller sidelined, but he’s also been a focal point for Alabama’s offense. His 17 touches (11 carries, six catches) almost tripled the second-highest against Louisiana-Monroe, which was Richard Young with six.
Alabama fans have a lot to be excited about with Riley, even after Miller returns.
