It looks like Kalen DeBoer’s win streak against ranked teams might take a serious hit this week. Coming into the week against South Carolina, Alabama only thought they would be without their usual four players who are out because of injury: LBs Qua Russaw, Jah-Marien Latham, and Cyden Jones, and DL Jeremiah Beaman. But it turns out they are not the only ones, as Bama added 3 more players to the list whose status remains a big question.

After missing out on the playoffs last year, Alabama couldn’t take any chances, especially against South Carolina, as last year they already failed massively by failing to record 10 wins for the first time since 2007. But it looks like, despite being the favorites, they are already coming up short against them. As Bama’s writer, Charlie Potter hits X, putting out their availability report: “Oct. 23 Availability Report New Alabama players added: Danny Lewis Jr.—Out Lotzeir Brooks—Doubtful Geno VanDeMark—Questionable.” 

Now, first up on the list is tight end Danny Lewis Jr., who’s been battling injuries since the start of the season. After missing out on three games, Lewis showed up for the first time against Georgia. Then he even caught 2 passes for 17 yards against Missouri. Let’s not forget his important 2nd catch of the game, where he gained 6 yards on a third down near the goal line, setting up a TD pass from Ty Simpson to Daniel Hill, giving Bama a 10-point lead against the Tigers. But he couldn’t play against Tennessee because of an injury.

In his absence, the team might turn to freshman Jay Lindsey and senior Brody Dalton, who came in from Troy. Then comes in the most shocking addition to the list: wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks. Even though Brooks’s availability is doubtful, there’s a chance that he might not travel to Colombia for the game. There’s no information about the nature of his injury, but his absence will hit them hard.

Brooks has notched 16 passes for 255 yards. Despite seeing a limited role this year, he’s a clear WR4 behind Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard, and Isaiah Horton. After he took the reins when Williams went down because of an injury. Even Kalen DeBoer couldn’t hold back his praise. “This guy is just full speed all the time,” DeBoer said after Brooks recorded an important fourth down against Missouri. “When he’s on the football field, he just loves the game. It’s not just when he’s out there running routes; it’s showing up on special teams Week 1. “

With Brooks’s status hanging on a thin thread, there’s a chance that true freshmen Derek Meadows and Kaleb Edwards will see some action on the field. Then the last man whose availability status might impact the team is OL Geno VanDeMark. This guy started in all 6 games this season and is third among all OL in snaps. For now, his status remains questionable, setting up the stage for Kam Dewberry and Jaeden Roberts to step up.

However, with Alabama, even South Carolina is facing major roster cuts because of injury.

Shane Beamer gives out an injury update on a key player

After a 3-4 run in the league, coming up strong against Alabama is very important for them. But just like them, even they are stuck with injuries, missing out on players like OL Nolan Hay and DL Monkell Goodwine, who are listed as probable against Alabama. Then there’s OL Jatavius Shivers, whose status is questionable while lineman Cason Henry is out of the game.

But what came as a shocker is that Henry will stay out for the entire season. As Beamer made it clear, stating, “Going back to Cason, hate it for him. He dislocated his shoulder on the first play of the Missouri game. I know he is as frustrated as anybody with that shoulder. He’s going to have surgery this upcoming week. It will be season-ending, but it will be a surgery that will allow him to not have to deal with this going forward. We wish him well, and he’s eager to get back.” 

With him, even DT Caleb Williams might be out of the game against Alabama, as he broke his leg during practice before the Oklahoma game. Injuries already made things worse for them against Oklahoma, as Beamer said, “Our guys, they played their butts off, and I hurt for them because they’re fighting. Proud of those guys, but we just weren’t good enough in any area today.” Now, after missing out on his key players, this game is going to be tougher than ever for Beamer and the team. Let’s wait and see how they show up against Bama.