Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer confirmed Monday that tight end Josh Ford will miss the remainder of the season following an undisclosed injury sustained late in Saturday’s 31-13 victory at LSU. Ford, an Oklahoma State transfer, caught his second touchdown pass of the year before exiting the game in the fourth quarter. The news serves as a significant setback for the Crimson Tide’s offensive line protection, as Ford had already demonstrated remarkable resilience by returning from a broken arm suffered against Mississippi State just weeks prior.
DeBoer praises Ford’s physicality as Crimson Tide reshuffle blocking corps
Despite the early exit, Ford finished the campaign with five receptions for 41 yards, but his primary value lay in his elite inline blocking. DeBoer highlighted Ford’s intangible impact, describing him as a “uniter” and a leader whose physicality elevated the entire unit. “I think we go back to spring ball and talk about the physicality of what he brought and how other guys, I think, fed off of that,” DeBoer noted, acknowledging the void left by Ford’s absence in the final stretch of the schedule.
With Ford out, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb indicated that Danny Lewis Jr. will assume the primary inline blocking responsibilities. The coaching staff also plans to expand the roles of Jay Lindsey and starter Kaleb Edwards to fill the gap. This strategic shift forces Alabama to rely on depth to maintain the run-game efficiency that defined their season, testing the versatility of their remaining tight end group in the final weeks of the 2024 campaign.
Source: Yahoo Sports
