Tim Keenan, Jaeden Roberts injury updates: Kalen DeBoer reveals status of Alabama players ahead of Week 1

Just over 72 hours before Alabama kicks off against Florida State, there are still some injury issues the team is dealing with. One of them is offensive guard Jaeden Roberts, whose issue has been lingering for a couple of weeks.

Head coach Kalen DeBoer provided the latest update on Wednesday, saying Roberts continues to be limited. No official word on his status on Saturday, something we might not find out until Alabama’s offense takes the field. Since this is not an SEC matchup, no availability report is required.

“He’s been practicing,” DeBoer said Wednesday via the SEC Coaches Teleconference. “Very limited, very limited. I mean, he’s making progress but it’s slow and steady. I know this has been going on for a couple weeks. A lot of the same, nothing more than that, really.”

Similar sentiment came when asked about star defensive lineman Tim Keenan. DeBoer was asked if Keenan would be a full-go this week for Alabama, casting some doubt on his availability.

“Yet to be determined,” DeBoer said. “Probably not but we’ll see… He had a lower-body injury. A lot of it is always, kind of, figure it out after practice. Obviously, gathering information in the moment I’m in right now, trying to understand exactly where it’s at. Our staff is unbelievable. They have done pretty impressive things on getting guys back. Waiting on the update on that. I don’t know if I can give you a percentage and be confident in that. But it is a lower-body injury.”

Keenan was a key player last year in Tuscaloosa, playing in all 13 games. He recorded 40 tackles, 7.5 of which were for a loss. Alabama did not have the most sack production but Keenan did a solid job from the interior, getting 2.5 on his personal stat sheet.

Moving back to Roberts — the offensive line will bring some new faces when lining up against Florida State. Roberts is expected to be a veteran presence for Alabama throughout the season. Maybe not in the opener due to his injury. Again, possibly a wait-and-see moment when the first snap is taken in Tallahassee.

A 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff is scheduled on ESPN. There is rain in the forecast, potentially adding to the theatrics on Saturday afternoon. Either way, a fun one between two of college football’s top brands should be on deck. And there will be a couple of injuries to track before officially getting underway.