Jam Miller news puts immense pressure on Alabama's Kalen DeBoer in Week 1

There's absolutely going to be pressure on Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer as his No. 8-ranked Crimson Tide take on Florida State on the road to kick off the 2025 season.

That's just how it's going to be for DeBoer as long as he's the head coach in Tuscaloosa. Being the guy to replace Nick Saban can't be easy, but the standard is the standard and at Alabama, the standard is championship wins.

DeBoer needs his team to come out strong to secure a victory against FSU on Aug. 30, but things have just gotten a bit harder for the Crimson Tide.

On Saturday, the team's top returning rusher, senior Jam Miller, suffered an upper-body injury during a scrimmage. According to DeBoer, that injury led to a "medical procedure," and Miller is expected to miss the game against FSU.

"Jam Miller suffered an upper-body injury in Saturday's scrimmage and went in for a procedure on Saturday evening," DeBoer said, according to Mark Schlabach of ESPN. "Jam should recover fully with a timetable for his return yet to be determined."

Quarterback Jalen Milroe actually led Alabama in rushing last season, but he's now trying to find his way in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks. Miller was expected to be a major part of Alabama's offense and a safety net for first-time starter Ty Simpson, but for the time being, the Crimson Tide have lost that safety net.

Alabama will still be the favorite heading into this one, but things just got that much tougher for DeBoer and his staff. Sure, they have a few weeks to put together a gameplan that doesn't include Miller, but the Crimson Tide must now rely on several unproven backs in this big spot.

Sophomore Richard Young and Daniel Hill are next up for Alabama but they had 48 combined carries last season. DeBoer could also choose to give the ball to Louisiana transfer Dre Washington, who rushed for 478 yards and five touchdowns last season for the Ragin' Cajuns.

Either way, he'll have to come up with a Plan B quickly, because despite FSU's terrible season in 2024, the Seminoles aren't just going to roll over in this one.