Good News on the Tide's Injury Front Ahead of UGA

The Alabama Crimson Tide will be as close to full strength as possible on Saturday night, when Alabama travels to Athens, Georgia, for a 6:30 CT kickoff against the Georgia Bulldogs. It's the most anticipated game of the SEC's early-season slate, and last year's game did not disappoint.

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Alabama got good news on the injury front on Monday during the Crimson Tide's coaches' press conferences. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, and head coach Kalen DeBoer spoke to the media.

Arguably the biggest returning player for the Crimson Tide will be defensive lineman Tim Keenan III, who both DeBoer and Wommack said will play against the Bulldogs on Saturday night.

"Tim will be back for the game. Tim, he's done a great job," Wommack said. "He’s been practicing, you know, the last couple of days here, and has looked pretty good. And so, you know, credit to him and [head athletic trainer] Jeff Allen and our staff for getting him ready to go. So excited, certainly to have him back.

"You know, just the physicality that he brings, the experience, the block recognition, the ability to get off of blocks. And, certainly, what he does for us, not only in the run game, but I thought he has taken some strides in pass rush as well from an interior pass rusher. So excited to have him back this week."

"I think in a couple ways, he was voted team captain for a reason," DeBoer said on Monday. "So, the energy he's brought the last even two or three weeks, you know, his juice. He's that way naturally; he loves this place. I think his perspective of being on the sideline has brought another level of energy to him that our defense and our whole team has responded to. On top of it, he's a big anchor, big body in there that can kind of hold down the line of scrimmage, get push in the pocket on pass plays. It's good to have him back. He's had a couple good days here, we'll continue to build here through the week of practice is what we're expecting."

Keenan will help Alabama try to plug the middle of the defense to stop Georgia's rushing attack, which is always prominent under Kirby Smart. Alabama will try to counteract Georgia's run game with its own, where getting starting running back Jam Miller back will be crucial for an Alabama run game that has left a lot to be desired so far this season.

""I do. I do expect him to go. He practiced yesterday, been building up last week, his volume. So I expect him to play," Kalen DeBoer said of Jam Miller's status ahead of the Georgia game.

Miller is more than just a running back. He's a leader offensively for the Crimson Tide.

"No question that Jam is a complete back all-around. Not just what you see with him carrying the football, but with his pass protection responsibility and his ability to get the job done physically as well," DeBoer said. "He's very important that way. He's someone that we trust at the highest level. In fall camp, in spring ball, goes back to last year, he's just been super consistent as a pass protector. Not just as a guy who can carry the football."

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.