TUSCALOOSA — Alabama running back AK Dear is expected to be sidelined for about six weeks after suffering an ankle injury in the Crimson Tide’s first preseason scrimmage, coach Kalen DeBoer said Thursday.
Immediate impact on fall camp and depth chart
DeBoer confirmed Dear was hurt during the first of two scrimmages and that the coaching staff ordered tests to determine the extent of the damage. The results, reported by recruiting and college football outlets, indicate Dear will miss significant time but could return later in the season.
“It was unfortunate because he was having a real nice scrimmage there with the touches he got,”
The timing complicates Alabama’s work in fall camp. Dear, a redshirt freshman from Quitman, Mississippi, had been in contention for increased carries and for a role in the rotation replacing departing back Jam Miller. With Dear out, the coaching staff will lean more heavily on a group that already includes freshmen and veterans fighting for snaps.
Who steps up for the Crimson Tide?
Alabama’s immediate options in the backfield now center on a mix of young talent and returning contributors. The staff will turn to:
- Trae’shawn Brown — a highly touted freshman expected to get more opportunities;
- EJ Crowell — another young back the staff has mentioned, though DeBoer said Crowell did not participate in the same scrimmage and will miss a few practices;
- Daniel Hill — a junior who led the team with six rushing touchdowns in 2025 and figures to receive an expanded role;
- Kevin Riley and Khalifa Keith — experienced depth pieces likely to be part of the rotation.
DeBoer also indicated Crowell's absence from the scrimmage was precautionary and that he should be available for games after a short recovery from the minor issue.
Dear’s production to date
Dear saw limited but promising action last season. In five games, he compiled 140 rushing yards on 19 carries and scored three touchdowns. His longest run last season was a 56-yard touchdown against Louisiana-Monroe, the team's longest rush of 2025. He added three receptions for 18 yards.
| Stat | 2025 Total |
|---|---|
| Games | 5 |
| Rushing yards | 140 |
| Rushing TDs | 3 |
| Longest rush | 56 yards |
Schedule context and timeline
With roughly six weeks expected on the sideline, Dear’s absence will span the remainder of fall camp and into the early portion of the regular season. Alabama opens its 2026 schedule against East Carolina on Sept. 5, followed by road and marquee nonconference tests in the weeks after. The team’s depth at running back will be tested in early practices and preseason scrimmages as coaches adjust workloads and play-calling plans.
DeBoer noted the staff will continue to evaluate Dear’s progress and that the plan is to integrate him back into the lineup when medically cleared.
What fans should watch
Several angles will bear watching in the coming weeks:
- Which backs receive increased reps in scrimmages and practice to solidify the rotation;
- How offensive play-calling adapts to personnel changes early in the season;
- The timeline of Dear’s rehabilitation and any updates provided by the program’s medical staff.
For now, Alabama’s coaching staff must balance protecting Dear’s long-term health with preparing the running-back group to handle a full slate of carries. The Crimson Tide have a history of rotating backs, and this injury will accelerate the evaluation of younger players hoping to contribute as the season begins.
Updates on Dear’s status and Alabama’s backfield composition are expected as fall camp continues and the team releases further medical and roster notes.
