Alabama football issued a conference-mandated availability report for the first time in program history on
Wednesday. Beginning with the 2024 season, the SEC mandated that clubs release them on a daily basis, beginning
on the Wednesday of conference game weeks.
The Crimson Tide faced Georgia for the first time this season on Saturday. Alabama previously played and defeated Western Kentucky, South Florida, and Wisconsin, but was not required to file availability reports because the games were not SEC matchups.
The league implemented the reports to reduce the demand for information generated by sports gambling. Teams must announce players who are out, uncertain, questionable, or likely due to injury, illness, or any other reason.
“I get it,” Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said in August about the reports. “I understand why that could be essential or useful. I talk to our boys all the time about, obviously, gambling and how it is not allowed and you cannot participate in it, but also any information that leaves our program and how it affects the outside world, outside of our bubble. So I understand, and whatever we have to do, whatever rules they impose, we will follow.
The Crimson Tide only mentioned three players in their Wednesday report. Linebackers Qua Russaw and Jeremiah Alexander were rated as likely.
Richard Young, the running back, was also expected to be on the list.
Cole Adams and Malachi Moore are two notable players that were not listed. Moore sustained a brain injury in the Wisconsin game, while Adams injured his arm against South Florida.
Alabama and Georgia will face off at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Tuscaloosa. The game will air on ABC.
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