The Alabama Crimson Tide received tough news earlier in camp when Jam Miller, projected to be the team’s starting running back, suffered a collarbone injury and is expected to miss at least three weeks of the 2025 season. The team’s challenges continue as head coach Kalen DeBoer recently revealed that a starter along the offensive line will likely miss Alabama’s season opener against Florida State on Saturday.
Alabama Faces More Injury Woes Ahead of Season Opener Against FSU
It’s game week in Tuscaloosa as Alabama opens the season against a tough non-conference opponent, traveling to Tallahassee on Saturday to face the Seminoles.
The Crimson Tide will be without star running back Miller, who isn’t expected to return until at least September 27, 2025, for Alabama’s game against Georgia. Miller might not be the only offensive player missing for week one, as in his game-week press conference, DeBoer also revealed that offensive guard Jaeden Roberts could be sidelined for the opener.
“I would say Jaeden Roberts is still in question,” DeBoer said. “Just with what he’s going through and the protocol, and the process there. He’s progressing, he’s progressing. So we’ll kind of see here.”
Roberts is currently in concussion protocol, and if he is unable to clear it before Saturday’s kickoff, he will miss the game against the Seminoles. His absence would be a significant loss for Alabama’s offensive line, as he is one of their top starters and is already a projected high pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The redshirt senior has started 20 games for Alabama across the last two seasons, and was expected to help create rushing lanes for the Tide’s backup running backs while Miller is absent.
If Roberts misses Saturday’s game, Alabama’s rushing attack will be even more at risk of not operating at full strength, something Kalen DeBoer’s squad cannot afford.
Alabama enters the matchup as 13.5-point favorites over the Seminoles, but these injuries are significant. Playing in the hostile environment of Doak Campbell Stadium, the Tide will need its running game to perform well to take some pressure off first-year starting quarterback Ty Simpson.
The good news for Alabama is that Roberts is still listed as questionable, and there is a real chance he could play, which would be a major boost for the team. It’s a situation to watch as kickoff approaches.
Alabama will face Florida State on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. EST, and ABC will cover the game.