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Alabama will be without three key offensive starters vs. Eastern Illinois

1918632_10206777287683070_1367905321192383146_nby: Charlie Potter3 hours agoCharlie_Potter
Alabama TE Josh Cuevas
Alabama TE Josh Cuevas (David Leong / Imagn Images)

Alabama will be without three key offensive starters in its home finale against Eastern Illinois.

Wide receiver Germie Bernard, offensive lineman Parker Brailsford and tight end Josh Cuevas are expected to miss the Week 13 matchup due to injuries, sources confirm to BamaOnLine.

Bernard and Brailsford were both banged up in the Crimson Tide’s loss to Oklahoma last week. They returned to the game, so their absences this week appear to be more precautionary.

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said on this week’s SEC teleconference that Brailsford’s status was “a little bit up in the air … just from Saturday.” Brailsford will get a week to rest, as will Bernard, who visited the medical tent against Oklahoma but still played 64 snaps.

As for Cuevas, the senior tight end suffered a foot injury during Wednesday’s practice of EIU week, per sources. A timetable for Cuevas to return to the field is currently unknown, but he will likely miss next week’s Iron Bowl. He has not been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Cuevas had his best game in an Alabama uniform last weekend against Oklahoma, where he caught a career-high six passes for 80 yards and a touchdown in the loss to the Sooners.

“Josh is a stud,” DeBoer said to kick off EIU game week. “You just see him on one play — made a guy miss in the flat, toed the sideline, and then lowered the shoulder at the end of the run. It’s just the competitiveness he has.”

With Cuevas set to miss time, true freshman Kaleb Edwards is likely the Crimson Tide’s top tight end option. Danny Lewis is an experienced player, but he’s only played in four games this year, missing time because of injury. Alabama could also turn to Jay Lindsey, true freshman Marshall Pritchett and possibly offseason transfers Brody Dalton and Jack Sammarco.

Alabama’s home finale against Eastern Illinois is set to kick off at 1 p.m. CT (SEC Network+).

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