Alabama is preparing for one of the biggest games of the college football season, but the Crimson Tide will spend the rest of the week monitoring a significant injury. Head coach Kalen DeBoer revealed Wednesday that tight end Josh Ford broke his arm during Alabama’s 56-23 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday.
Ford underwent surgery Sunday.
Remarkably, that doesn’t necessarily mean he will miss Saturday night’s showdown against No. 2 Georgia.
DeBoer said Ford is determined to get back onto the field and that Alabama remains optimistic about his progress.
“He actually broke his arm in the game on Saturday, had surgery on Sunday,” DeBoer said during Wednesday’s SEC coaches teleconference. “He’s determined to get on the football field.”
Kalen DeBoer Gives Josh Ford Injury Update
Playing six days after surgery for a broken arm would be an extraordinary turnaround, and DeBoer made it clear Alabama won’t put Ford on the field unless he meets the necessary physical benchmarks.
But the door apparently remains open.
“Actually, progressing along fairly well right now,” DeBoer said. “We’ll kind of see how the week continues for him.”
DeBoer added that Ford is “doing a great job” and said Alabama is “optimistic.”
Ford’s receiving numbers don’t jump off the stat sheet. The 6-foot-6, 266-pound junior has one reception for three yards and a touchdown this season.
His impact goes considerably beyond catching passes.
The Oklahoma State transfer has emerged as an important blocker in Alabama’s increasingly physical offense and has started the Crimson Tide’s last three games.
Ford even returned to Saturday’s victory over Mississippi State after suffering the injury, playing with his left forearm heavily wrapped.
Alabama Has Tight End Depth Before Georgia
If Ford can’t play, Alabama does have options. Marshall Pritchett, Kaleb Edwards, Danny Lewis Jr. and Jay Lindsey have all received meaningful snaps in a deep tight end room.
“Other guys have stepped up throughout the year and are eager for their opportunity,” DeBoer said.
Still, losing Ford would take an important physical presence away from Alabama for its biggest test yet.
The Crimson Tide enter Saturday 5-0 overall and 3-0 in SEC play after overwhelming previously unbeaten Mississippi State. Georgia is also 5-0 and 3-0 in the conference. The top-10 showdown kicks off Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET from Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Whether Ford somehow joins his teammates on the field could remain a major storyline right up until kickoff.
