The Alabama Crimson Tide is already facing a significant hit to its young season lineup, with freshman Jaxon Richardson ruled out of Friday’s showdown against Arkansas State due to an upper-extremity injury. This is a tough break for the Crimson Tide, coming just three days after Richardson made his collegiate debut.
Richardson’s Sudden Absence Rocks the Rotation
Richardson’s injury was announced during the Crimson Tide Sports Network pregame show, confirming he’d miss Alabama’s second regular-season game at Coleman Coliseum. While the injury isn’t considered long term, there’s no immediate timetable for his return, which is a real bummer so early in the year. This kid just hit the court for the first time on Tuesday in Alabama’s 96-74 season-opening victory over Sam Houston. Talk about a quick turnaround from debut to injury report! He logged 15 minutes off the bench, putting up four points, four rebounds, one assist, and a steal. He even made two of his four field-goal attempts, including an emphatic windmill dunk for his first-ever collegiate basket. Remember, Richardson was already dealing with an illness during the preseason and entered the regular season on a minutes restriction, so this upper-extremity injury is just another hurdle.
Depth Concerns Already Mounting for Coach Oats
This absence leaves coach Nate Oats with one fewer option in what was already described as a crowded rotation. Alabama used 13 players against Sam Houston, with 11 of them getting double-digit minutes. Losing Richardson, especially after he showed flashes of what he can do, means Oats has to dig even deeper. It’s not just Richardson, either. The Crimson Tide is also playing its second and final regular-season game without guard Aden Holloway, who is completing a five-game suspension. That suspension included three preseason exhibitions, so they’ve been short-handed for a bit.
Holloway is finally set to become eligible to return when Alabama hosts Seton Hall next Friday, November 13. Until then, Oats will really be testing the limits of his bench. Here’s hoping Richardson’s injury truly isn’t long term, because Alabama’s depth is getting a serious workout right now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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