Overview
- Coach Kalen DeBoer said Monday that freshman safety Jireh Edwards and running back AK Dear are the closest of the injured trio to returning to game action while wide receiver Noah Rogers remains slightly further behind.
- All three players took part in pregame warmups before Alabama’s season opener on Sept. 5 but did not play in the Crimson Tide’s 48-10 victory over East Carolina.
- Edwards missed time after a late‑August arm injury that required surgery, Dear injured his ankle in the second preseason scrimmage, and Rogers continues to recover from a knee or lower‑body injury suffered during A‑Day.
- DeBoer emphasized that each player’s recovery has gone “very smooth” and potentially faster than expected but that the staff will be cautious and not rush any return to protect season‑long availability.
- If Edwards and Dear are cleared soon, their returns could change Alabama’s depth chart and game plans for the Sept. 12 trip to Kentucky, with the staff expected to make availability decisions during the week of the game.