Double-digit Alabama players either out or limited this spring, DeBoer says
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama football will be without several players this spring.
Second-year head coach Kalen DeBoer provided a lengthy injury update immediately after the Crimson Tide’s first spring practice on Monday. Eight Alabama players will miss all of the spring, and another three will be limited during the Tide’s 15-day slate of practices.
“Alex Asparuhov, he’ll be out,” DeBoer said. “David Bird will be out – a long snapper. Bubba Hampton will be out. Kevonte Henry, Domani Jackson, Deontae Lawson, Danny Lewis, Keon Sabb. And then we have some guys that are limited really just to indie only and non-contact – Justin Jefferson, Kadyn Proctor and James Smith.
“Pretty much most of those injuries are all just from last season still and expected. Nothing new there from our standpoint. I know it’s probably new for you.”
Five of those players – Jackson, Lawson, Sabb, Jefferson and Proctor – started multiple games for Alabama last season. For at least a portion of the spring, the Crimson Tide will be without two starting inside linebackers, one starting cornerback, one starting safety and its starting left tackle. Other players like Lewis and Smith are poised to assume larger roles.
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Asparuhov and Bird were also expected to push for Alabama’s first-team vacancies at punter and long snapper, respectively. Asparuhov is one of 18 early enrollees, while Bird transferred to Tuscaloosa after serving as the starting long snapper at California this past season.
With so many injuries to players expected to play big roles this fall, DeBoer was asked if these setbacks can be “blessings in disguise” to allow inexperienced guys to receive reps.
“There’s a lot of guys that are returners and upperclassmen,” DeBoer said. “So yeah, there’s a chance to build some depth with our guys and get some younger guys a lot of reps.”
Alabama will return to the field for spring practice No. 2 on Wednesday, March 5.
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