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Ryan Williams injury update: Alabama WR leaves game questionable hit, refs reverse targeting call

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh08/30/25griffin_mcveigh
Alabama WR Ryan Williams
Alabama WR Ryan Williams (William McLelland / Imagn Images)

Alabama is attempting to make a comeback against Florida State, down two scores. The ball is being put into the hands of Ty Simpson and naturally, the quarterback is looking to find Ryan Williams. But while driving down the field, Williams took a massive hit and immediately went down.

Initially, a flag was thrown for targeting on former Alabama player Earl Little Jr. Williams stayed down on the field as the officials reviewed the play. Eventually, Williams got up and walked off the field and headed back to the locker room.

Simultaneously, the penalty on Little was overturned. No flag on the play, Little got to stay in the game, and he would not miss next Saturday’s first half against Texas A&M-Commerce. A massive call for the game currently on-going and the following week.

Williams leaves the game without having the best day, only snagging five passes from Simpson for a total of 30 yards. Seeing him take over in critical moments was almost routine at times during the true freshman season. The receiver led Alabama with 48 catches for 865 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024 to earn SEC All-Freshman as well as Freshman All-American honors.

Alabama fans likely have spent most of the Florida State game hoping for something similar. But now, there is the injury to deal with and given where the game clock currently sits, he might wind up being out for the remainder of the game.

Germie Bernard has been Alabama’s primary receiver in the game to this point. It’s a position group where a ton of confidence came out of Tuscaloosa during preseason camp. Even so, Williams is widely viewed the best of the bunch. Questions about his long-term status will instantly come into play.

Alabama stays in the nonconference Week 2, going up against the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks. One game later is a big one as a Big Ten opponent, the Wisconsin Badgers, comes to Bryant-Denny Stadium. Not one you want to be without Williams if the injury is considered serious enough. A bye week then precedes a massive showdown against the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens.

For now, there is still time for Alabama to steal a victory away from Florida State. Some late-game execution will be required, something the Crimson Tide have done well to this point. Others, such as Bernard, are going to have to step up in a critical moment for the program.