• Football
  • Alabama DT Tim Keenan III To Miss Multiple Games With Ankle Injury

Alabama DT Tim Keenan III To Miss Multiple Games With Ankle Injury

Details
Football

(BCSNN) — Alabama will be without team captain and starting defensive tackle Tim Keenan III for multiple games after the senior sustained an ankle injury during practice earlier this week. Head coach Kalen DeBoer confirmed that Keenan underwent tightrope surgery and will not be available for Saturday’s season opener against No. 6 Florida State.

“It’s unfortunate,” DeBoer said on his weekly radio show. “Tim’s poured so much into this program and helped build the culture we have. We’ll miss his leadership and presence on the field, but we expect him back later this season.” Keenan, entering his third year as a starter, posted career highs in tackles (40), tackles-for-loss (8), and sacks (2.5) in 2024.

With Keenan sidelined, Alabama will turn to redshirt freshman Jeremiah Beaman to start alongside junior James Smith on the interior defensive line. Beaman impressed throughout fall camp and is expected to rotate with Edric Hill and Isaia Faga. DeBoer also mentioned sophomore Steve Bolo Mboumoua as a potential contributor. “New guys will have to be thrown into the fire earlier than we thought,” DeBoer said.

The injury comes at a critical time for the Crimson Tide, who are already without starting running back Jam Miller due to a collarbone injury. Alabama’s defensive front, considered one of the team’s strengths entering the season, will now rely on its depth and youth to contain Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos and a revamped Seminoles offense.

Following the opener in Tallahassee, Alabama returns home to face UL Monroe on Sept. 6 and Wisconsin on Sept. 13. The matchup with the Badgers will be a rematch of last year’s 42–10 win in Madison and is expected to be a key measuring stick for the Tide’s defensive progress. Alabama will also host Eastern Illinois later in the season as part of its non-conference slate.

Despite the setback, Alabama remains ranked No. 8 in the preseason AP Poll and enters the season with playoff aspirations. “We’ve built depth for moments like this,” DeBoer said. “It’s time for the next wave to step up.”