Alabama Crimson Tide is closing in on the return of key starter who would be severely missed vs. Oklahoma Sooners
Alabama might be getting help when it needs it most.
The Alabama Crimson Tide has held down the fort on the defensive side of the football for months without some of its best players. One of those players is Jah-Marien Latham, who was lost for the season following a scary injury during practice.
But the other was linebacker Qua Russaw. The sophomore from Montgomery, Alabama, hasn’t played since suffering a broken foot against the Georgia Bulldogs.
Now, nearing seven weeks since that injury, there is a chance that Russaw returns for arguably the biggest game remaining on Alabama’s schedule.
Qua Russaw ahead of schedule in return from injury
“I would say we’re unsure at this point,” said Kalen DeBoer during Wednesday’s SEC media call. “[He’s] probably in that questionable range right now at this minute, but he’s coming along nicely. “I know I said that a week ago, you know, I would consider it at least on, if not ahead of schedule from what we originally thought. So he’s done a great job, and he’s he’s getting closer and closer, so just see how he feels here the rest of the week.”
Oklahoma’s offense is unlike any Alabama has seen this season. That’s due in large part to their precise RPO scheme, headed up by quarterback John Mateer. Since his thumb surgery, Mateer has been a little up and down, but he continues to get healthy, and he, along with the backs at OU, can stretch the Tide’s defense horizontally. That means you need as many healthy outside backers as possible.
“I think it’s, yeah, scheme, but it’s how confidently their players play within the scheme as well,” said DeBoer on Wednesday when discussing Oklahoma. “They play confidently. And then there’s, you know, physicality about them too. They got a great combination of size and speed. They just fly around, you know? They got a they got an attitude about them. You know that they’re out there to go make plays and so, you know, credit to everyone involved and and putting it together, from coaches to players.”
Between the rush defense, John Mateer when healthy, and the sign-stealing allegations, it’s safe to say that Saturday afternoon will be a must-watch.
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