Two key players for Alabama have yet to play a single down of football for the Crimson Tide in the 2025 season due to injury. On Saturday against No. 5 Georgia, both players are expected to get their first bit of playing time since their injuries.
The Alabama offense will have some extra juice in the running game with the return of last year’s leading rusher Jam Miller.
"I do expect him to go," DeBoer said. "He practiced yesterday. Been building up the last week, his volume, and so expect him to play."
Miller, who was selected to the Preseason All-SEC team, will provide more experience to a young talented running back room. In his absence, the Crimson Tide's offense struggled to develop a significant rushing attack, and the Georgia defense will be the toughest Alabama has faced.
Alabama will be adding a talented runner to its arsenal with Miller, but as a complete back, he will provide quarterback Ty Simpson an extra weapon, as well as a talented pass blocker.
“No question that Jam is a complete back all-around,” DeBoer said. “Not just what you see with him carrying the football, but with his pass protection responsibility and his ability to get the job done physically as well. He’s very important that way. He’s someone that we trust at the highest level. In fall camp, in spring ball, goes back to last year, he’s just been super consistent as a pass protector. Not just as a guy who can carry the football.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Alabama will welcome back Tim Keenan, a captain and the anchor of the defense. Leading up to the season opener, Keenan hurt his ankle and was required to have surgery. Keenan missed the first three games of the season with an ankle injury but appears to be ready to go this weekend.
"Tim will be back for the game," defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said. "Tim, he's done a great job. He's been practicing, you know, last couple of days here, and has looked pretty good. And so, you know, credit to him and [head athletic trainer] Jeff Allen and our staff for getting him ready to go.
With Keenan sidelined, the Alabama defense has been solid, but depth and physicality have taken a hit in his absence. His leadership and experience on the field have noticeably been missed with the Crimson Tide middle of the pack in rush defense and struggling to generate a pass rush at times.
"So excited, certainly to have him back," DeBoer outlined. "You know, just the physicality that he brings, the experience, the block recognition, the ability to get off of blocks. And, certainly, what he does for us, not only in the run game, but I thought he has taken some strides in pass rush as well from an interior pass rusher."
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