Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer confirmed on Monday, Nov. 9, that tight end Josh Ford will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL. The injury occurred late in the fourth quarter of Alabama’s 31-13 victory at LSU, where Ford recorded two receptions for 15 yards and a touchdown before exiting the game. DeBoer praised Ford’s resilience and leadership, noting that the player is likely already strategizing how to return, while acknowledging Ford’s critical role as a “uniter” and on-field leader for the Crimson Tide.
Alabama tight end’s absence forces offensive shift as Kaleb Edwards steps up
Ford’s departure leaves a significant void in Alabama’s offensive scheme, particularly in the run game where he excelled as a blocker. In the matchup against LSU, Ford finished with five catches for 41 yards and two touchdowns, but his primary value lay in his ability to control the line of scrimmage. With Ford sidelined, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb indicated that the staff expects players like Danny Lewis Jr. and Jay Lindsey to assume greater responsibilities, though the focus remains on elevating the play of Kaleb Edwards to maintain offensive balance.
Grubb highlighted Edwards as a potential game-changer in Ford’s absence, describing him as a rare 6-foot-5, 260-pound “50/50” player capable of both elite blocking and reliable receiving. “You don’t give any tells away when he’s on the field because he can do both,” Grubb stated, emphasizing Edwards’ versatility. As Alabama prepares for upcoming fixtures, the coaching staff plans to increase Edwards’ workload, leveraging his dual-threat capability to mitigate the impact of losing one of the nation’s most versatile tight ends.
Source: Yahoo Sports
