Alabama sophomore running back Roydell Williams has a knee injury that requires surgery and “will be out,” coach Nick Saban said Monday.
Wide receiver JoJo Earle does not need surgery after being injured in Saturday’s game against New Mexico State and will be out “maybe a week or two,” Saban said.
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Williams’ injury leaves Alabama with two healthy scholarship running backs in Brian Robinson and Trey Sanders. The Tide also moved Christian Leary from wide receiver and Demouy Kennedy from linebacker after sophomore Jase McClellan was lost in October to a season-ending knee injury. Freshman Camar Wheaton remains out with a meniscus injury.
“We worked a couple other guys in there for over a month now,” Saban said Monday of Leary and Kennedy. “Those guys are functional at the position. Probably will look for someone else on our team that maybe we could sort of develop into being a functional player from an emergency standpoint, if we need them.
“But I don’t really think we can change right now. We certainly have to have a plan if we have any more issues at that position.”
Williams ran 48 times for 285 yards and one touchdown this season. Sanders has 39 carries for 222 yards and two touchdowns, including 12 runs for 66 yards and a score Saturday.
“I think he’s got a great opportunity,” Saban said. “I thought he played well in the game. It was good to get him some touches in the game. I think he understands the offense well and I think he’s a very capable guy. Now that he’s gonna have a more significant role, it’s time for him to take advantage of that opportunity, as well, but we have every confidence that he can do that very well for us.”
Earle, a freshman, has served as the primary punt returner and has 12 catches for 148 yards.
Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.
