Alabama LB Demouy Kennedy injured late in win over Arkansas

It was a rough day for No. 2 Alabama when it comes to players getting hurt, as quarterback Bryce Young suffered a shoulder injury in the first half against No. 20 Arkansas and a Demouy Kennedy injury on a special teams play with the game well in hand in the fourth quarter added to the Crimson Tide’s issues.

Kennedy was breaking down to attempt a tackle on Arkansas punt returner Bryce Stephens, but his left leg gave out as he planted and he was immediately helped to the locker room by team trainers.

He was one of several Alabama players injured in the contest, a physical affair that saw the Crimson Tide lose the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner in a 49-26 win over the Razorbacks.

Kennedy, a junior from Theodore, Ala., had tallied one tackle this season prior to his injury.

Injury report fills up for Alabama against Arkansas

On top of the Demouy Kennedy injury and Bryce Young’s injury, the Crimson Tide also lost safety Brian Branch for the afternoon after he ran into teammate Henry To’o To’o in the contest.

Branch headed to the injury tent before going to the locker room, and the CBS broadcast crew reported he would not return to the game. Through four games this season, Branch had 20 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and a sack as a key part of the Crimson Tide defense.

Those injuries will loom large for Alabama as it continues into the heart of SEC play.

Saturday’s showdown with Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., was the first in a three-game stretch against ranked opponents, though Saturday’s results will certainly change that.

Next up for the Crimson Tide is a home game against No. 17 Texas A&M, though the Aggies will likely drop from the rankings following a 42-24 defeat at the hands of Mississippi State on Saturday. Alabama will travel to No. 8 Tennessee the following week, on Oct. 15.