Alabama Players Returning From Injury This Spring

Injuries happen in football.  The physicality of the sport naturally leads to players being hurt throughout the season.  Alabama was no exception last season, having several players go down to injuries during their SEC title run.  Whether they missed one game or the entire season, the players affected will have lasting marks from these injuries.  How they perform this spring will tell us how well they have recovered.

The most important player to watch in this regard would be running back Kenyan Drake.  While technically the third back on the depth chart, Drake's speed and elusiveness made him a true dual-threat back that forced defenses to account for him.  However, against Ole Miss last season Drake went down with terrible injury to his knee.  After undergoing season-ending surgery, the rising senior told reporters he would be ready for spring practice.  His rehab has been on schedule, but what lasting effects could this talented young man see once he steps back on to the field?  His speed could return, but it is difficult to see his cutback ability being the same after such a gruesome injury.  With Yeldon turning pro, Altee Tenpenny leaving and Tyren Jones being suspended, Drake will be needed in a running back stable where only he and likely starter Derrick Henry will have any game experience.

Offensive tackle Cam Robinson impressed everyone in his freshman campaign and looks to be the anchor of the offensive line for at least two more years.  That will depend on his health though, and 2014 wasn't without some concerns in that area for the highly touted prospect.  Against Tennessee, Robinson suffered a high ankle sprain, and the coaching staff expected him to miss several weeks.  However, Robinson showed his toughness and determination by returning just two weeks later (aided in part by an off-week in between games) in time for Alabama's overtime win against LSU.  Robinson's trouble would not end there though, as two weeks after that he suffered a shoulder injury against Western Carolina.  Fortunately, he was able to return for the Iron Bowl just a week later and would not miss another game the rest of the season.  While Robinson never missed any serious time while injured, these repeating injuries can add up over time to cause major issues.  Hopefully the offseason has allowed him to fully heal as the Tide are pinning a lot of hopes on him for the future.

While Robinson did not miss a start, another Bama lineman was not as lucky.  Center Ryan Kelly missed two games after he hurt his knee against Ole Miss.  Kelly played the rest of the season without any other problems, but again once you hurt your knee it's hard to completely recover.  Kelly will be the elder statesman on the offensive line this year.  His leadership would be sorely missed should he have anymore issues with his knee.

Kicker Adam Griffith is not the most popular player on the team among fans after his late-season struggles hindered the Tide's ability to score.  It was later revealed during Sugar Bowl media days that he suffered a stress fracture in his back.  Griffith's story is truly an inspiring one, going from a Polish orphanage to a top-tier college football team.  But the Tide fanbase has notoriously low tolerance for kickers who don't deliver.  Griffith was making field goals of over 50 yards when the season began, so hopefully he can return to form if he heals properly.  However, another year like 2014 could have both him and special teams coach Bobby Williams in hot water.

Linebacker Reuben Foster was one of Alabama's prized recruits two years ago after a vicious back-and-forth with Auburn over the state's top talent.  When he has made it into games, Foster has shown why he was so sought after, making bone-crushing hits that electrify entire stadiums.  However, those same hits have done a number to Foster himself.  His tendency to lower his head while hitting has led to several neck and shoulder issues.  Hopefully the coaches can help Foster correct this and he can  stay on the field for long periods and be the star he was expected to be.

Keep an eye in the secondary too as we talk about injuries.  Last year, during spring practice, corner Eddie Jackson tore his ACL.  He was able to play once the season started, but was not at his best.  Another corner, hot shot freshman Tony Brown, was injured while running hurdles as part of the track team.  He played at A-Day in a non-contact jersey.

The players mentioned above are all expected to contribute heavily to success of the 2015 Alabama team.  With proper rehabilitation and improved technique, they can get back to where they were before.  But nothing is guaranteed in football, except that someone will get hurt.