Alabama Dealt Concerning Injury News Before Week 1 Game Against Florida State originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Alabama Crimson Tide’s leading rusher last season was not a running back, but starting quarterback Jalen Milroe.
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Milroe led the team with 726 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns in his final season in Tuscaloosa before heading to the NFL. Milroe was drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.
Even with a player like Milroe under center, Alabama still went 9-4 in 2024. Head coach Kalen DeBoer enters year two after missing the College Football Playoff, and received some unfortunate news on a starter from last year.
DeBoer revealed at a Sunday press conference that running back Jam Miller suffered an upper-body injury in a scrimmage on Saturday, via 247’s Mike Rodak.
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Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jam Miller (26). John David Mercer-Imagn Images
“Jam Miller suffered an upper-body injury in Saturday’s scrimmage and went in for a procedure on Saturday evening,” DeBoer said. “Jam should recover fully with a timetable for his return yet to be determined.”
Luckily for Miller, DeBoer stated that the running back is expected to recover fully, although a return date is not available yet.
The Crimson Tide has just under two weeks until their season opener with the Florida State Seminoles on August 30. Miller was second on the team with 668 rushing yards last season.
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The expectations for Alabama are much different from those of anyone else around the country. The Crimson did not miss the CFP for more than two seasons in a row under former head coach Nick Saban.
ESPN predicted that it would not become a problem in the DeBoer era, putting Alabama in the playoff, but having the Crimson Tide lose in the quarterfinal to the Penn State Nittany Lions.
Alabama’s fate may rest on starting quarterback Ty Simpson, who has been the backup for the last three seasons. Simpson credited his teammates, thanking them for helping him win the starting job.
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DeBoer is entering a crucial year with the Crimson Tide.
Related: Alabama Dealt Devastating Blow on Recruiting Trail on Sunday
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
