Alabama’s defense is about to receive a massive boost when they need it most following update on key Crimson Tide contributor
The Alabama Crimson Tide got its first availability report of Tennessee week, and while one key starter is officially ruled out, another name on that list could change how the defense handles the Volunteers’ run game.
The Alabama Crimson Tide are heading to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, for the Third Saturday in October, and it’s a must-win game for both sides. Alabama got some bad news on the initial availability report this week, but it also got some good news that arrives right when the defense needs it most.
Let’s start with the bad news.
Ryan Coleman Williams officially out against Tennessee
As expected, Ryan Coleman Williams is officially out for Saturday’s game against Tennessee. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer hinted that the earliest return would come after the bye week, which means sometime in November. The Crimson Tide have an open date on Halloween weekend, so that timeline lines up.
Williams is nursing a head injury and a lower-body injury. In my opinion, the time off is the best thing for him and for Alabama. He needs to get back to 100 percent for the stretch run, when the Crimson Tide will need him the most.
Why Justin Hill’s return matters for Alabama’s run defense
Now for the good news. The initial availability report dropped on Wednesday night, and as Charlie Potter posted on X, linebacker Justin Hill is listed as probable for Saturday.
I’m not going to sit here and tell you that Hill is a one-size-fits-all solution for Alabama’s run defense. I broke down every play from the Georgia game, which you can find on my X account @NFL_Rob, and that is not how this works. One player isn’t going to fix everything.
What Hill does is give Alabama more versatility and fresher legs up front. Without him, the Crimson Tide had to worry about Yhonzae Pierre and Devan Thompkins playing every single rep. If you take them off the field, a younger or less experienced player can’t do what those two do, so their roles become more limited. Thompkins can’t play 3-technique and edge at the same time.
All of that goes out the window with Hill back in the mix. Getting Hill back on the field is critical for this specific matchup.
Tennessee wants to run the ball through DeShon Bishop
Regardless of who starts at quarterback for Tennessee, the Volunteers want to run the ball at will with DeShon Bishop. That is their bread and butter. Bishop is the straw that stirs the drink for the Tennessee offense, and the Vols will lean on him in a hostile environment for the Crimson Tide.
So how do you slow that down? You need multiple players who can rotate in and out, stay fresh against the run, set hard edges, and create negative plays. Tackles for loss, run fits, pursuit, you name it.
That is exactly what Hill helps Alabama do. In reality, depth is what wins in a game like this, especially in the fourth quarter at Neyland when Tennessee is trying to wear down a defensive front that has been stretched thin.
Coleman-Williams being out stings, but Alabama made the right call by giving him time to get healthy. Hill’s return, meanwhile, comes at the perfect moment. It won’t solve every problem against the run, but it gives the Crimson Tide a fighting chance to keep Bishop in check on the Third Saturday in October.
