Kalen DeBoer’s Tide take big hit with Tim Keenan injury

Kalen DeBoer Balances Keenan and Roberts Updates

On Tuesday, star defensive lineman Tim Keenan suffered an ankle injury that will require surgery, according to On3’s Brett McMurphy. While the procedure is expected to sideline him for multiple games, the Crimson Tide remain optimistic he will return later this season.

Keenan was a force in the trenches last year, recording 40 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss in 13 appearances.

DeBoer described the injury earlier in the week as a “lower-body” issue, noting that Alabama’s medical staff is still working through a full recovery plan.

“Yet to be determined,” DeBoer said when asked if Keenan could play against Florida State. “Probably not but we’ll see… Our staff is unbelievable. They have done pretty impressive things on getting guys back.”

The Tide’s problems aren’t isolated to the defensive line. On offense, guard Jaden Roberts has been limited in practice for the past several weeks, and his status for Saturday remains unclear.

DeBoer admitted Roberts is progressing “slow and steady,” but emphasized that his availability might not be known until Alabama’s first offensive series.

For a team already without injured running back Jam Miller until the Georgia game, these setbacks have turned the spotlight toward Alabama’s younger contributors. The offensive line may feature new starters against Florida State, and defensive rotations will need to be shuffled to account for Keenan’s absence.

Alabama enters the opener ranked among the nation’s top teams, but the depth of the roster will be tested immediately in a primetime environment. With rain also in the forecast, DeBoer’s debut on the sidelines in Tuscaloosa won’t come without its share of challenges.