Injury Updates: Kalen DeBoer shares latest on Jam Miller, Jaeden Roberts, James Smith

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer hadn’t talked to reporters since his weekend statement about Jam Miller’s injury. DeBoer announced on Sunday morning that the senior running back suffered an upper-body injury in last Saturday’s scrimmage and underwent a procedure later that evening. Initially, a timetable to return was “to be determined.” 

On Thursday, after preseason practice No. 18, DeBoer offered the latest on Miller.

“His injury was a little more significant than what I thought when I was there for the press conference with you guys last, found out more information afterwards,” DeBoer said. “So, he’ll be out. We’ll go week by week, but he’ll be out for the first game for sure, and we’ll play it from there.”

A senior and the most experienced running back on the Crimson Tide’s 2025 team, Miller was the only Alabama back who carried the ball 100 or more times, or 10-plus times per game, and finished second on the team in every rushing category behind quarterback Jalen Milroe. The 2024 season was Miller’s most involved, as he ran for 668 yards and seven touchdowns on 145 carries. He also caught 16 passes for 155 yards and another touchdown last year.

Alabama has five other scholarship running backs on its roster. Richard Young, Daniel Hill and Kevin Riley return, while the Crimson Tide added Louisiana transfer Dre Washington and top 100 high school recruit AK Dear this offseason. Young, Hill and Washington are likely to see significant carries in Miller’s absence, but DeBoer needs to see more from the entire group.

“Just looking for someone to separate themselves,” DeBoer said. “That’s really the situation. I feel like Jam was certainly at a higher level than these guys. I know they’re hungry, and they wanna do it. Now they just gotta show us, and it’s not just one area, it’s all phases. It’s running the ball, it’s pass protection, it’s just all of those things combined.

“Each guy’s got some tools, got some things that they can do, but need them to stand out, because there’s kind of a log jam there. Each of them have their strengths, and they all can fit into the offense in some form or fashion.”

DeBoer offers updates on two injured linemen

While Miller’s injury was revealed after the scrimmage, DeBoer told the local media that a pair of linemen did not participate in the 105-play practice. For the second weekend in a row, offensive guard Jaeden Roberts (concussion) and defensive tackle James Smith were held out of UA’s scrimmage. After Thursday’s practice, DeBoer gave an update on each lineman.

“He isn’t taking any team reps or anything right now,” DeBoer said of Roberts. “Still making that progress through that protocol that we’re on with his injury.”

As for Smith, the update was more positive, as DeBoer expects the third-year defensive lineman to be ready to go for Alabama’s season opener at Florida State (August 30 at 2:30 p.m. CT).

“He’s practicing,” DeBoer said. James is practicing.”

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