The Alabama Crimson Tide have been dealt a major blow ahead of their pivotal matchup against the LSU Tigers this Saturday. Wide receiver and return specialist Cole Adams will miss the remainder of the season due to a lower body injury sustained early in the game against Missouri two weeks ago.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer announced the devastating news in a press conference on Monday. While he did not provide specifics on the nature of the injury, its severity was apparent. Adams had already missed time earlier in the season after getting hurt against South Florida.
Just seeing the effort he put into that first injury, you really found out a lot about who he was as a person and as a player, just the toughness he had. Unfortunately, he had another injury here now.
– Kalen DeBoer on Cole Adams
A Breakout Season Cut Short
Before the injury, Adams was in the midst of a breakout campaign for the Crimson Tide. The speedy wideout had emerged as a dangerous weapon in the passing game, recording 6 catches for 94 yards through the first part of the season. His ability to take the top off defenses helped open things up for Alabama’s other receivers.
Adams had also carved out a role as the team’s primary punt returner, showcasing his explosive playmaking ability in the open field. His absence will force others to step up in the return game moving forward.
Opportunity for Others to Step Up
With Adams sidelined, Alabama will now look to their other pass catchers to help fill the void. Kendrick Law and Kobe Prentice have both been banged up recently as well, testing the Tide’s depth at the position.
However, Adams showed what’s possible when the next man up takes advantage of his opportunity. The junior earned his first career start against South Carolina when Law and Prentice were out, responding with 2 catches for 57 yards in the win.
Reserves like Cale Simmons and Shane Lee will need to adopt that same mentality to keep the offense humming. Simmons, a sophomore, has flashed big-play ability in limited action thus far. Lee is a savvy veteran who knows the system inside and out.
A Huge Test Looms in Baton Rouge
There’s no easing into life without Cole Adams for this Alabama squad. The 11th-ranked Crimson Tide must head to Death Valley this weekend for a date with the 14th-ranked LSU Tigers in a game that will have major implications on the SEC West race and College Football Playoff picture.
LSU’s defense has been stingy against the pass, allowing just 186.1 yards per game through the air. They’ll look to capitalize on Adams’ absence by taking away Alabama’s deep threats and making quarterback Jesse Martinsen rely more heavily on the run game.
Rallying Around Their Fallen Teammate
Still, don’t expect the Crimson Tide to make any excuses heading into this titanic SEC clash. If there’s one thing that has defined the Nick Saban era in Tuscaloosa, it’s the program’s ability to overcome adversity and forge ahead.
Losing a player of Cole Adams’ caliber certainly qualifies as adversity. But it also provides Alabama with an opportunity to rally around their fallen teammate and play for something bigger than themselves.
Adams’ toughness and perseverance set an example for the entire locker room. Now, as he begins the long road to recovery, the Crimson Tide will look to embody those same traits on the field as they chase their championship goals.
It won’t be easy navigating the treacherous SEC schedule without their rising star receiver and return man. But if any program is equipped to handle such a challenge, it’s the Alabama Crimson Tide. Expect them to have a little extra motivation every time they take the field the rest of the way.
