Ryan Williams injury update: Kalen DeBoer reveals timeline for Alabama WR's concussion recovery

Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams is in concussion protocol and remains day-to-day, per Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer. Williams left Alabama’s 31-17 loss to Florida State in the fourth quarter on Saturday after absorbing a hit to the head.

Specifically, Williams took the hit with 6:07 remaining in the fourth quarter. Alabama was second-and-10, and quarterback Ty Simpson attempted to connect with Williams on a crossing route across the middle of the field.

Florida State defensive back Earl Little Jr. delivered a massive hit on Williams causing him to drop the ball. Williams remained down after the play and was attended to by the training staff.

He eventually walked off the field on his own power and went to the locker room. He didn’t return to the game. After the play was initially ruled targeting, the call was overturned. Before exiting the loss, Williams recorded five catches for 30 yards.

It was a relatively slow day for Williams, who was a standout for Alabama last season. Williams finished his debut campaign in 2024 with 865 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. For his efforts, he was named an All-SEC First-Team selection by the league’s coaches.

Veteran wide receiver Germie Bernard led Alabama against Florida State with a career-high 146 receiving yards on eight catches. Alabama should be fine without Williams for its Week 2 showdown against UL Monroe.

Nonetheless, Ryan Williams will want to get back on the field as soon as possible. There are massive expectations around the sophomore wideout this season, and he isn’t shying away from the spotlight.

“(It’s) not really pressure, because pressure is privilege,” Williams said at Alabama’s team media day. “But, you know, it’s just a matter of understanding your freshman year. There’s a lot of kids, like … Jeremiah Smith of Ohio State went through his entire freshman year and they won a natty (national championship) as a student-athlete. 

“So it’s just balancing out the student-athlete life, all the NIL, just understanding and getting a rhythm (with) it. Now that I went through an entire year, I definitely have a way better grasp of it.”

Hopefully for the Crimson Tide, Williams will be able to show off his understanding sooner rather than later. Alabama will look to bounce back from its stunning Week 1 loss on Saturday when it takes on UL Monroe at 7:45 p.m. ET. The game will air live the SEC Network.