Jam Miller injury update: Kalen DeBoer makes announcement on Alabama RB after Saturday scrimmage

The Alabama Crimson Tide suffered a blow in Saturday’s scrimmage. Star running back Jam Miller suffered an upper body injury in Saturday’s scrimmage, head coach Kalen DeBoer announced.

Unfortunately, the injury did require Miller to undergo a procedure on Saturday. The expectation is now that he does fully recover, but there isn’t currently a timetable for his return to action on the field, and he could be looking at missing multiple games.

“Jam Miller suffered an upper-body injury in Saturday’s scrimmage,” Kalen DeBoer said. “And went in for a procedure on Saturday evening. Jam should recover fully with a timetable for his return yet to be determined.”

Losing Jam Miller is a big blow for the Alabama offense. He was coming into the season as the Crimson Tide’s starting running back, and the expectation was that he’d be able to carry the majority of the load on the ground. Add in a first-year starter at quarterback, and he’s someone who Kalen DeBoer was hoping to be able to lean on.

Over the previous three seasons, Miller has played in 40 games. In 2024, he’d carry the ball 145 times for 668 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had 16 receptions for 155 yards and a touchdown.

Prior to Fall Camp, Kalen DeBoer had shared some thoughts on the Alabama running back room. The expectation was always for Jam Miller to take on the majority of the carries, but there is some reason to believe that behind Miller, there are players capable of picking up the slack early in the season.

“Sure, you’ve got Rich Young, Daniel Hill coming back also,” DeBoer said. “I feel like those guys were healthier than they probably ever were last season, throughout the year. Then Dre, Dre Washington. I thought he had a really nice practice today. You can see a new guy that’s come in and now you’re seeing the install a second, third time from spring, summer, to fall. Just like we were talking about with the quarterback position and how it’s clicking more. So, he’s got himself right in the mix there, for sure as we kind of narrow it down. There’s skill sets. There’s different things that each guy brings. Body types are a little bit different. But, in the end, it’s not like someone is so much different to where it affects who’s in there. We’re just teaching them all the offense.”

Alabama is set to open the season with an interesting road test in Tallahassee against the Florida State Seminoles. After that, the Crimson Tide have until September 27th before SEC play begins with the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens.