Alabama injury updates: Kalen DeBoer reveals status of Jam Miller, others vs. Oklahoma

Alabama walked into the SEC Championship having quite a few injuries. The same can be said heading back to Tuscaloosa from Atlanta, enjoying the break between then and the College Football Playoff. Multiple key players got time to recover from their various ailments ahead of the showdown against Oklahoma in Norman on Dec. 19.

Kalen DeBoer gave a laundry list of updates on Monday, a few days before kick. Most notably of the bunch might be running back Jam Miller, who did not play against Georgia over a week ago. Tight end Josh Cuevas is an important one for Alabama as well, with DeBoer expressing optimism.

“Parker (Brailsford) is doing good,” DeBoer said. “He’s been practicing. Jam, he’s making good progress. Just kind of continue to see how the week goes along. You guys saw him out there doing some things today. Cuevas, very similar to Jam. Making progress out there, doing some work. I guess, you’re optimistic at this point. We’ve still got four days left. So, those guys are heading in a good direction, making good progress, and continue to evaluate them moving forward. But you saw them out there doing some things today in practice.”

Brailsford did play in the SEC Championship but not at his normal rate. Rotation did come at the center position, meaning arguably the best player on the offensive line watched from the sideline. So much of what Alabama does offensively goes through Brailsford and DeBoer certainly needs him out there.

As for Miller, the run game has not been too effective throughout this season — with or without him in the lineup. Miller is the leading rusher at 493 yards on the year, only playing in nine games. Three touchdowns is not exactly a bright spot either. But if anything is going to get going on the ground vs. Oklahoma, Miller is the presumed guy. He is not afraid to pick up an incoming blitzer in pass protection either.

Cuevas plays a massive role in the system at an underrated position. He serves as the safety valve for quarterback Ty Simpson at times, not getting out there vs. Auburn in the Iron Bowl or Georgia (or Eastern Illinois). If there is any chance of getting the tight end back out there, Alabama will feel differently about their chances in a positive way.

Kickoff from Owen Field is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, getting the Friday night primetime treatment from ESPN. Until then, how these players are tracking will remain a huge storyline.