Alabama defensive lineman Tim Keenan III is scheduled to endure tightrope surgical procedure to handle a excessive ankle sprain he sustained in observe, in line with a number of reviews. The expectation is that Keenan will miss a number of video games however return in some unspecified time in the future this season, per ESPN’s Chris Low. Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer mentioned on Wednesday’s SEC coaches name that Keenan will “in all probability not” be a full go for the Week 1 opener towards Florida State however didn’t reveal the severity of the harm.
Keenan enters the 2025 season as one of many premier defensive linemen in faculty soccer. He will probably be a third-year starter this fall and rides momentum into the marketing campaign after a profession yr through which he logged 40 tackles, eight tackles for loss and a pair of.5 sacks.
“We’re getting loads of it form of discovered,” DeBoer mentioned. “After working towards, truthfully, gathered data. Did somewhat within the second I am in proper now simply attempting to grasp precisely the place it is at. So our workers is unbelievable. They’ve carried out some fairly spectacular issues on getting guys again and so ready for the replace on that. I do not know if I may even offer you a proportion and be assured on that. We’ll see, however it’s a lower-body harm.”
Accidents have already stacked up at Alabama previous to the season opener. Beginning working again Jam Miller is on the shelf with a collarbone harm and is anticipated to be out till the SEC opener towards Georgia on Sept. 27. DeBoer additionally mentioned on Wednesday’s name that offensive lineman Jaeden Roberts, the projected starter at proper guard, is questionable for Saturday as he progresses via concussion protocol.
James Smith tasks as the highest defensive deal with in Keenan’s absence and can doubtless make his first profession begin consequently. He performed in all 13 video games final season and was a productive understudy to Keenan together with his 20 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Redshirt freshman Jeremiah Beaman and third-year backup Edric Hill might additionally see an uptick in taking part in time.
Alabama is considerably of a tightrope surgical procedure pioneer and has been aggressive in using it to assist its student-athletes get well extra shortly from ankle sprains. Staff physician Norman Waldrop is without doubt one of the leaders in tightrope surgical procedure, which makes use of a versatile implant reasonably than screws to carry the bones collectively within the ankle, thus permitting for extra regular movement and faster restoration instances.
Quite a few distinguished Alabama gamers underwent tightrope surgical procedure all through its increase. Outland Trophy-winning lineman Cam Robinson in 2014 was the primary Crimson Tide participant to have the process, and star quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa adopted. The surgical procedure typically allowed for returns to motion in lower than a month.
