Kalen DeBoer gives promising injury update to former elite recruit who was expected to be an x-factor this season
Life is quite good for the Alabama Crimson Tide right now, and things are about to get better. On a bye week this Saturday, head coach Kalen DeBoer is getting his team rested for their battle against LSU next weekend. Not only will two receivers be back in action, but we’re getting closer to seeing […]
Life is quite good for the Alabama Crimson Tide right now, and things are about to get better. On a bye week this Saturday, head coach Kalen DeBoer is getting his team rested for their battle against LSU next weekend. Not only will two receivers be back in action, but we’re getting closer to seeing a potential defensive star back on the field.
In the meantime, Alabama is ranked fourth overall and has been seeing more success as it chases top recruits before this December brings signing day. DeBoer’s also seeing quarterback Ty Simpson get Heisman Trophy love from rival players. For now, though, DeBoer is most focused on his on-field product.
See the latest on linebacker Qua Russaw below, as DeBoer gave a rundown on his key starters’ health.
Kalen DeBoer offers Qua Russaw injury update ahead of LSU matchup
Russaw suffered a broken foot against Georgia after logging four starts, and while there’s not yet a timetable for when he’ll be back, DeBoer likes his progress. The second-year linebacker is one of the Tide’s best-graded pass-rushers on the season but can do a little bit of everything. He logged 13 pressures in 2024, but is versatile enough to split time between the defensive line and even slot defender roles.
“He is doing really really good, on a timeline that we had hoped or maybe even a little bit of ahead, but don’t know exactly what that’s going to be,” DeBoer said. “Just, we’re not quite there yet, but he’s making great progress. You can see just even in his face, he’s feeling good about the direction it’s going and can’t wait to get back out there.”
The former 64th overall recruit and four-star talent from Montgomery, Alabama, stands 6-foot-2 and 243 pounds. Yhonzae Pierre has replaced Russaw in the lineup and might not give the starting gig back up. Pierre is now the team’s fifth-leading tackler and leads them with four sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss.
Still, Russaw would bolster depth and was clearly gifted if he beat Pierre out originally.
