Kalen DeBoer provides key injury update ahead of Alabama's opener

The Alabama Crimson Tide begin the 2026 college football season with a home game against the East Carolina Pirates on Sept. 5. 

Kalen DeBoer's team, as per usual, has tough competition in the SEC, but fans in Tuscaloosa are hoping they can return to the College Football Playoff. 

Ahead of Week 1, DeBoer gave a few notable injury updates, including a big one on transfer wide receiver Noah Rogers. 

 “He is much further ahead (than anticipated) … he will miss a few games still, but he’s out there going thru drills. There’s a progression we have to go thru. We have to be smart," DeBoer said, via Nick Kelly of al.com. 

Rogers suffered a knee injury during Alabama's A-Day spring game in April, although DeBoer said recently that the transfer WR is doing well and is ahead of schedule. 

Rogers spent the past two seasons at North Carolina State, catching at least 30 passes with 400 yards in each of those seasons, so he is expected to be a big part of the Crimson Tide offense.