The Alabama Crimson Tide are facing a tough test on the road against Florida State in the season opener. With the weather expected to be rainy and messy, both teams could have to lean on their run games, but unfortunately for Alabama, it is going to be without its best run defender.

On Wednesday, Kalen DeBoer was asked whether veteran captain Tim Keenan III would be available this weekend after suffering an injury at Tuesday’s practice. The second-year head coach didn’t announce anything definitively, but he did say that the nose tackle would probably not be a full-go when the Tide take the field on Saturday.

“Yet to be determined,” DeBoer told reporters. “Probably not, but we’ll see.”

Soon after that response, DeBoer was asked for more clarity on what Keenan is dealing with.

“He had a lower-body injury,” DeBoer said. “Again, a lot of it’s always kind of figured out after practicing, honestly. Gathering information still in the moment I’m in right now. It’s trying to understand exactly where it’s at.

“Our staff is unbelievable. They have done some pretty impressive things on getting guys back. So, waiting for the update on that. I don’t know if I even give you a percentage and be confident on that. So, we’ll see, but it is a lower-body injury.”

A little bit more clarity, but fans are still left wondering how severe the injury is. Now, we’ve gotten reports from On3’s Brett McMurphy that Keenan will not only miss Saturday’s game, but he’s also likely to be out for multiple games, which is a similar situation to what Alabama is going through with starting running back Jam Miller.

“Alabama DT Tim Keenan III, who suffered an ankle injury Tuesday, is expected to undergo ‘tightrope’ surgery Wednesday, source told On3,” McMurphy said. “The Tide’s best defensive lineman and a captain, Keenan will be out multiple games, but expected to return this season, source said. Tide already without injured RB Jam Miller until Georgia game.”

Alabama is going to miss having Miller. It’s going to miss right guard Jaeden Roberts, too. But this is easily the most significant loss we’ve seen for the Crimson Tide, especially with Florida State coming up this weekend. I mean, think about the timing and what type of matchup we’re expecting.

We’re expecting rain, which could force both teams to lean more on the run game. That’s primarily what Florida State wants to do anyways. And while I do think Alabama has the ability to run, this is an offense that has typically wanted to throw the football, especially vertically. That’s always been a big element of the Kalen DeBoer-Ryan Grubb offense.

Seminoles offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn wants to be dominant on the ground, and he uses a combination of inside zone, zone reads and a quick RPO game to achieve that. Having a presence like Keenan on the interior would’ve been beneficial when it comes to stopping the inside zone. I still believe in Jeremiah Beaman’s ability to get the job done as a starter, but it’s the depth and rotation that’s becoming a concern.

James Smith is projected to be the starting three-technique at defensive tackle with Edric Hill and Kelby Collins backing him up. Smith could probably handle some of those nose snaps that require a zero or one-tech, but Hill and Collins are both between 275-285 pounds. For that reason, I wouldn’t be shocked at all if true freshman London Simmons was involved in the rotation.

Yes, he’s young, but we’ve heard good things about his progress since arriving on campus in the summer. Hopefully, he isn’t needed for significant snaps, but at 6-foot-3, 303 pounds, he’s another thickly-built interior defensive lineman who brings power and intriguing run-stopping traits. Youth is a question mark, but we were already expecting him to get some opportunities before this situation transpired. Now, he’ll probably be relied on more than we thought.