Kalen DeBoer Gives Ryan Williams Injury Update as He Questions Crucial Ty Simpson Decision

The first-time magic didn’t shine on the Alabama Crimson Tide. In their 2025 season opener, Kalen DeBoer’s squad was outmuscled and outmatched, falling 31-17 to a relentless Florida State Seminoles team. But August 30 delivered more than just a tough loss in the record books. It delivered a gut punch. Star receiver Ryan Williams went down with a concussion, a blow that stings far deeper than the scoreboard. Kalen DeBoer said Ryan Williams suffered a concussion vs. FSU.

Just like Alabama fans must have been looking up to Williams for a turnaround, their starter, Ty Simpson, also came up with high expectations. But looks like the quarterback still plays on the back foot when it comes to trusting his reads and playing with confidence. Now, what did DeBoer have to say about him?

On August 30, Charlie Potter tweeted the heartbreaking update, “Kalen DeBoer said Ryan Williams suffered a concussion vs. FSU.” Just 10 days back, Potter reported that DeBoer made it clear that he wants to start with Williams. “Ryan [Williams] had [a] great experience there last year. Had a couple of explosive plays, got thrown into action there when Bak (Jaylen Mbakwe) went down through the season,” said the head coach. But hardly did he have any idea of Williams falling prey to an injury. 

The Alabama vs Florida face-off had just rolled into the fourth quarter. And there the injury gods were standing with a surprise for Williams at the Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee. With about six minutes remaining and his team trailing by 14 points, DeBoer’s quarterback, Simpson, attempted to connect with Williams across the middle on a second-and-10, but Williams was unable to hold on to the ball. And that’s when things turned awry…

The wide receiver was hit by a pair of Florida State defensive backs, including Earl Little Jr. But DeBoer kept hoping against hope, as the Alabama trainers tended the injured 17-year-old phenom. To that point in the game, Williams had five catches for 30 yards. No, the universe did not listen to DeBoer’s prayers to do a miracle, so that Williams could at least push through that game.

While the Alabama fans might have manifested Williams to be rushing to the sidelines to celebrate, pulling off a grand move, maybe they might have to wait for another day. Maybe till the next season? Well, we don’t know that yet. The next scene was the wide receiver walking off the field with team medical personnel on either side of him. Now, just when DeBoer must have needed some time to recover from this ugly surprise, he had to worry, only a little, about Simpson. But his confidence in his starter remained intact.

AJ McCarron’s words hold relevance as Kalen DeBoer reviews Ty Simpson’s debut

Do you remember what the proud Alabama alum, AJ McCarron, said about DeBoer’s starter Simpson? “Bama fans need to understand this and have some patience with Ty,” said the 2x national championship-winning quarterback on The Dynasty podcast. “I don’t want this kid to lose his confidence off of some tough games or some tough throws or bad decisions. Let him gain his confidence,” he added. Time for fans to remember this, after all, after the loss against the Seminoles, they might need to be a bit compassionate for DeBoer’s starter.

Not only Williams’ injury woes. Simpson completed 23 of his 43 pass attempts for 254 yards and two touchdown passes. He added four rushing yards on nine carries and was sacked three times. Based on this performance, during the post-game press conference, the head coach said, “You got to just trust his reads and just cut it loose sometimes. Just let it fly. He can make the throws, just let it fly. Throw on rhythm, throw on time. Might have been a time or two where they got in his face a little quick. That’s going to happen. That’s football. But just let it fly.” 

Was Kalen DeBoer not pleased with his playing skills? No way. The head coach continued, “He’s given everything he has… We got to, you know, it’s a full team sport. It’s a whole offensive unit that has to move up the ball up and down the field. Yeah, the quarterback’s the trigger man, but everyone’s got to do their part to help the guy out.” Was it a hint at Williams’ fall-out?

Maybe. The standout sophomore receiver ran straight into heavy coverage. Ty Simpson’s pass guided Ryan Williams right between two defenders, and he wasn’t able to secure the catch. However, Williams saved himself from further blame game. The opener flopped, just like the FSU alum, Freddie Stevenson, had warned. Will Kalen DeBoer be dialing the buyout hotline, or can his team turn the tide fast?