Jaeden Roberts update: Kalen DeBoer shares latest on injured Tide OL
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer shared the latest on right guard Jaeden Roberts, who left Saturday’s game at LSU with an injury and didn’t return to the field.
“He could have come back, and we just didn’t want to push it,” said DeBoer on his Wednesday radio show He’s a guy that’s going through the week, just like a lot of football dings that you have, he’s working through the week and doing everything he can to get on the football field Saturday. So I think it’s promising that he’ll be available, ready to go in some capacity.
“It’s amazing what 24 hours can do. We still have over 48, so he’ll continue to get better there.”
Roberts has started all nine games for Alabama this season but has battled through injuries all year long. Against LSU, the redshirt junior played 38 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, and allowed two pressures. The Crimson Tide offensive line only allowed six pressures during the 42-13 road win against a team that entered the game with 28 sacks. Alabama kept LSU from sacking Jalen Milroe on a huge night for the Tide quarterback.
Roberts exited the game late in the second quarter and went to the locker room with members of Alabama’s training staff. He tested things out when the team emerged for the second half but remained on the Tide sideline for the remainder of the rivalry game. His mother tweeted late on Saturday night that “Jaeden is ok” and DeBoer provided a positive update.
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Roberts took over Alabama’s right guard position last season and started the final eight games of the 2023 campaign. He picked up where he left off to start this year and has been on the field for the first snap of 17 straight Crimson Tide games. He hasn’t played every snap due to all the setbacks he’s dealt with, but Roberts has been consistent when available.
When Roberts has left games, Michigan State transfer Geno VanDeMark has typically replaced him on the first-team offensive line. VanDeMark logged 32 snaps against LSU, per PFF, and he could make his second start of the season if Roberts is unable to go this week.
“Geno has done a nice job, too, and that’s where we feel comfortable,” DeBoer said. “Obviously, you tap into your depth a little bit when you put the next guy out there. But the offensive line and the little bit of a rotation we’ve had, they’ve all done a nice job, and collectively, they’ve done their job.”
Alabama will welcome Mercer to Tuscaloosa on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 1 p.m. CT (ESPN+).
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