Nick Saban provides injury updates on RB Roydell Williams, WR JoJo Earle

Alabama didn’t have any trouble with New Mexico State on Saturday, winning 59-3 in what was expected to be a blowout.

The victory, however, did come at a cost, as sophomore running back Roydell Williams was forced to leave the game with a knee injury.

On Monday during his weekly press conference, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said that Williams’ injury would require surgery. Saban didn’t offer a timeline for a return.

Saban also provided an injury update on JoJo Earle, who was also forced to leave the game with the Aggies after sustaining a leg injury. The freshman wide receiver will not need surgery.

Nick Saban says Roydell Williams needs surgery and is “going to be out.” JoJo Earle does not need surgery but he will be out “proably for a little bit of time."

— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) November 15, 2021

Saban added that with Williams now sidelined and all of the other injury issues that Alabama has had at running back that some roster creativity might be necessary.

Saban said #Alabama will "probably look for somebody else on our team that maybe we could develop into being a functional player from an emergency standpoint" after losing a third RB to injury.

— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) November 15, 2021

Williams has carried the ball 48 times for 284 yards and a touchdown this season, while Earle has recorded 12 receptions for 148 yards.

The Crimson Tide return to action on Saturday at home against Arkansas.