Jam Miller, DeSean Bishop injury update: Friday availability report reveals latest on Alabama, Tennessee RBs

The highly-contentious Third Saturday in October rivalry series between Alabama and Tennessee returns this weekend in Tuscaloosa. Following last year’s loss in Knoxville, second-year Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer is still seeking his first victory cigar in the rivalry, while Vols head coach Josh Heupel is vying to secure Tennessee’s first two-game win streak in the series in 20 years.

The Vols have won two of the last three in the rivalry series, including last year’s 24-17 win in Knoxville, but haven’t claimed victory in Tuscaloosa since 2003. Prior to Tennessee’s 2023 win at home, the Crimson Tide dominated the Third Saturday in October series with 15 consecutive victories dating back to 2007.

No. 6 Alabama (5-1, 3-0 SEC) is currently an 8.5-point home favorite over visiting No. 11 Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC), with an over-under point total of 58.5 points, according to BetMGM. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm ET on ABC from Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.

Beginning on Wednesday of each week, the SEC releases daily availability reports for its intra-conference games. The final report will be revealed 90 minutes before the game’s kickoff on Saturdays. Notably, DeSean Bishop is off the final availability report for Tennessee.

Alabama Crimson Tide

• LB Qua Russaw – Out
• LB Jah-Marien Latham – Out
• LB Cayden Jones – Out
• WR Derek Meadows – Out
• DL Jeremiah Beaman – Out
• TE Danny Lewis Jr. – Questionable
• WR Jaylen Mbakwe – Probable
• RB Jam Miller – Probable

Tennessee Volunteers

• DB Rickey Gibson III – Out
• WR Travis Smith Jr. – Out
• DB Jermod McCoy – Out
• WR Radarious Jackson – Out
• LB Edwin Spillman – Out (1st half)
• TE Ethan Davis – Out

At the halfway point of the regular season, injuries continue to complicate things all across the college football world. That includes in the SEC, where the the Third Saturday in October rivalry series could be greatly impacted by the presence a key running back on both sidelines.

Alabama senior running back Jam Miller was upgraded from “questionable” in Wednesday’s report to “probable” on Thursday, a great sign after suffering a concussion in last weekend’s 27-24 win at Missouri. Meanwhile, Tennessee sophomore running back DeSean Bishop is off Friday’s availability report, meaning he’s good to go after suffering a leg injury in the third quarter of last week’s 34-31 win over Arkansas.

Alabama’s offense could also see the return of sophomore receiver Jaylen Mbakwe. He has been limited to just three games this season with various ailments, including a hand injury the week prior to the Missouri game. Mbakwe has a single catch for 16 yards this season after converting from cornerback last season.