After a stellar first season under Kalen DeBoer and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, defensive tackle Tim Keenan III entered his fifth year at Alabama as a second-team Preseason All-American and on Lombardi Award, Bednarik Award, and Nagurski Trophy watch lists.
However, the preseason hype train was derailed when Keenan suffered an ankle injury in practice as the Crimson Tide prepared for a Week 1 trip to Tallahassee to open the season against Florida State. Keenan has now reportedly undergone tightrope surgery on his ankle and is expected to miss multiple games. He will not take the field in Week 1 as DeBoer attempts to begin Alabama’s journey back to the College Football Playoff after a disappointing nine-win season last year.