Alabama running back EJ Crowell went down with a lower leg injury in the second quarter of their loss to Tennessee, and the Crimson Tide’s ground game, already struggling, just took another hit. Coach Kalen DeBoer offered little in the way of details after the game, leaving everyone wondering what exactly is going on with one of the most critical pieces of their offense.
Crowell’s Injury: A Brace on the Knee, a Hole in the Run Game
The sight of Crowell coming back to the sideline and then leaving Neyland Stadium in the fourth quarter with a brace on his left knee is a massive red flag for the Crimson Tide. The panic level for his injury is sitting at a “could miss some time” 😬😬, which for a team like Alabama, feels like a season-derailing problem right now. Their conventional run game has been struggling big-time. Quarterback Keelon Russell’s ability to extend plays is huge, but they absolutely need to get better at running downhill if those College Football Playoff dreams are gonna become real. They got game-scripted out of the run in the Tennessee game’s fourth quarter, but before that, their other running backs just weren’t getting it done without Crowell. This isn’t just a bump or bruise; this is a potential hole in the heart of their offense.
Hoover’s Upper Body Scare Was “Nothing Really Too Bad”
Over in the Big Ten, Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover gave Hoosiers fans a scare with an upper body injury in their loss against Ohio State. He was visibly uncomfortable, looking like every throw sent a jolt through him. But credit to the kid: he got banged up on a scramble, sat out for only one play, and still told reporters he was “feeling good” after the game, calling it “nothing really too bad.” His performance didn’t even seem affected, which is wild. The panic meter here is a definite “will be fine” 😅. That’s a huge sigh of relief for Indiana, who desperately needs Hoover at his best next week against a tough Michigan defense that can really get after the passer.
This Week 7 injury wave just reminds us how quickly things can change in college football. While some teams like Indiana can breathe easy about their star QB, others like Alabama are left with major questions. The Crimson Tide are facing a real challenge to get their run game sorted out, and with Crowell’s status up in the air, the pressure is on. Indiana, meanwhile, needs Hoover locked in for that Michigan game; it’s gonna be a battle.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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