Alabama Lineman Getting Closer to Playing, While Another is in Concussion Protocol

Almost the entire Crimson Tide roster scrimmaged on Saturday as Alabama continues preparation for its August 30 game against the Florida State Seminoles. However, two Crimson Tide linemen did not practice. Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer provided an update on James Smith and Jaeden Roberts, who did not scrimmage last week for Alabama.

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"Two guys that didn’t scrimmage today, Jaeden [Roberts] and James [Smith], same as last week," DeBoer said. "James, actually starting him, James has been working through, building up. Feel good about progress he’s had in the week of practice with it being live. Needed to hold back there, but he’s getting closer by the day.

"Jaeden has a concussion, just to tell you what it is. And so he’s going through the protocol of that, and so hasn’t done anything from a team standpoint. Starting to work back into that protocol, which included being out there today, but not to participate in the scrimmage."

Alabama will need both Roberts and Smith healthy for when they take on Florida State on August 30. In place of Roberts with the first team offense has been versatile offensive lineman Geno VanDeMark, who was slated to compete with Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry for the vacancy at left guard. If Roberts can not play, VanDeMark should get the start at right guard for the Tide.

You can watch Kalen DeBoer's full press conference from the second scrimmage here.

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_.