Kalen DeBoer gives injury update on Alabama offensive line after South Florida win
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Kalen DeBoer said after Alabama’s 42-16 win over South Florida that Elijah Pritchett was held out of the first half because of an injury he suffered during the Crimson Tide’s Week 1 win.
Alabama started Tyler Booker at left tackle on Saturday. Last week, Pritchett held that spot in the absence of Kadyn Proctor. Because of a shoulder injury, Proctor has yet to play. Without him or Pritchett to start the game against the Bulls, Alabama started Wikin Formby at right tackle and Geno VanDeMark at left guard.
“He was ready to go. He could have started the game,” DeBoer said of Pritchett after the game. “We were just trying to hold on as long as possible, keep him 100% healthy.
“We’re gonna be in better shape offensive line-wise going into next week.”
Alabama fans certainly hope so. Though the Crimson Tide won by 26, they scored 28 points in the fourth quarter and 3 touchdowns in the final 6 minutes to make a grind of a game look like a blowout.
The Tide were flagged 13 times. Nine of those were on the offense. The offensive line was flagged for holding 5 times. Booker was hit with a false start and an illegal blocking penalty. VanDeMark was flagged twice. Formby was flagged 3 times.
If Alabama can get Proctor back on the field, things would likely shift back to normal. He’d man the left tackle spot and Pritchett would move back over to the right side, where he spent time at in camp. Booker would move back to guard.
The Tide had just 57 rushing yards through 3 quarters against USF on Saturday. Next weekend, they travel to Madison to face a Wisconsin team that is 2-0 but hasn’t exactly raced away from either of its first 2 opponents.
Kickoff against the Badgers is set for noon ET on FOX.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
