Alabama football deals with ankle injuries and depth-chart questions as camp progresses

Alabama running back AK Dear injured his ankle during a preseason scrimmage and is projected to be sidelined for about six weeks, putting his return near the Georgia matchup. EJ Crowell experienced a slight ankle tweak on August 9, adding to the backfield concerns. Freshman Trae'shawn Brown has drawn attention as a possible replacement.

On the quarterback side, 247Sports noted that Russell led more scoring drives than Austin Mack, yet coach Kalen DeBoer emphasized that a starter has not been decided. Depth-chart analyst Colin Gay still lists Mack at the top, while Russell offers explosiveness and Mack brings experience. The offensive line, praised for its defensive front, is described as a work in progress, with Michael Carroll expected to start at right guard and several transfers vying for guard and tackle positions.