Jam Miller, DeSean Bishop injury update: Thursday availability report reveals status of Alabama, Tennessee RBs

It’s officially the Third Saturday in October and with it comes the renewal of the highly-contentious Alabama–Tennessee rivalry series that dates back to 1901. 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.

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 – Questionable
• RB DeSean Bishop – Probable

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 — or lack thereof — of a key running back on both sidelines.

Alabama senior running back Jam Miller was listed as “questionable” in Wednesday’s availability report after suffering a concussion in last weekend’s 27-24 win at Missouri. Meanwhile, Tennessee listed sophomore running back  DeSean Bishop as “probable” after suffering a leg injury in the third quarter of last week’s 34-31 win over Arkansas.

Miller missed the first three games of the regular season while recovering from a collarbone injury suffered in the preseason, but has been the Crimson Tide’s bellcow ‘back since returning at the beginning of SEC play. Despite only playing three games, Miller already leads Alabama’s backfield with 267 rushing yards, including a season-high 136 yards and a touchdown two weeks ago against Vanderbilt.

Bishop leads a loaded Tennessee backfield with 481 rushing yards and five scores and is averaging a SEC-leading 7.63 yards per carry through the first six weeks of the regular season.

Both teams also already ruled out several key contributors with more longterm injuries. Alabama’s defense will be without the services of nose tackle Jeremiah Beaman (lower body) and linebackers Cayden Jones (ankle), Jah-Marien Latham (neck) and Qua Russaw (foot), as well as freshman receiver Derek Meadows (concussion).

Meanwhile, Tennessee cornerbacks Jermod McCoy (ACL ) and Rickey Gibson III (arm) have both been ruled out once again, as were receivers Radarious Jackson (upper body) and Travis Smith (lower body). Vols linebacker Edwin Spillman will miss the first half Saturday after being ejected for targeting in the fourth quarter against Arkansas.