Jalen Hale provides update after suffering significant knee injury

Earlier this week, reports emerged that Alabama wide receiver Jalen Hale suffered a “significant” knee injury during practice, which Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer later confirmed would keep him out for the entire spring.

According to Hale, he’s now on the road to recovery.

“I’m doing good everyone I’m out the hospital i’m moving around a little bit just waiting on my next process and get to my rehabilitation it wasn’t as bad as it could have been so I’m blessed and thankful for that I will return stronger than ever thanks everyone your support,” Hale wrote in a post on X.

DeBoer provided additional information about his injury timeline as well, saying that there will still be “evaluation” that will take place to figure out if he’ll have to miss the entire 2024 season.

While he didn’t see much action, Hale made the most of his time on the field. During his freshman season in 2023, Hale hauled in five receptions for 148 yards and one touchdown. Overall, he appeared in 13 games for a total of 155 snaps on offense

While Hale had to sit behind some of the older receivers on the roster last season, he has a ton of potential. Coming to Tuscaloosa, Hale committed to Alabama has a four-star recruit out of Longview (TX) High School. He was the No. 7 wide receiver in his class and No. 38 player overall, according to the On3 Industry Ratings, which is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.

Alabama could turn to Caleb Odom at wide receiver in Hale’s abscense

The Alabama Crimson Tide have a new young wide receiver in Caleb Odom on the team. He’s a player that a lot is expected from moving forward and recently earned high praise from new offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan.

It was during Spring practice when Sheridan praised Odom’s effort and shared that he’s rapidly improving for the Crimson Tide.

“Talented player. No doubt about it,” Nick Sheridan said. “Coach Shep [JaMarcus Shephard] is pouring into him, and he’s getting better each and every day. When you have a young skill player, the stamina, the endurance, the volume of running in practice, the effort. And the thing that I would say about Caleb is that he’s a sponge. He soaks it all in.”

Caleb Odom came to Alabama as a four-star recruit in the Class of 2024. He was the 54th-ranked player overall in his class and came to Tuscaloosa as a tight end. However, the decision was made to have him begin spring practice working at wide receiver.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.