Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer confirmed on Monday that tight end Josh Ford suffered a season-ending ACL injury during the Crimson Tide’s 31-13 win at LSU. Ford left the game late in the fourth quarter after making two catches for 15 yards and scoring a touchdown.
DeBoer praised Ford’s toughness and leadership, saying, "The guy's so tough. I mean, I know he probably right now is trying to figure out how he's still going to play this year. Just who he is and his impact has been really key for our football team in a lot of ways. … He's a uniter of our football team. He's a leader."
Before the injury, Ford had five catches for 41 yards and two touchdowns this season. His contributions went beyond receiving; he played a major role as a run blocker, helping Alabama’s ground game establish itself.
Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb acknowledged the challenge Ford’s absence creates but expressed confidence in the team’s tight end depth. He singled out Kaleb Edwards as the player expected to shoulder more responsibility. "I think he's one of the five or six tight ends in the country that are that 6-5, 260 pounds, (a) true 50/50 player that can block and catch," Grubb said. "You don't give any tells away when he's on the field because he can do both. So, we think the world of Kaleb. Probably going to put a little bit more on his plate."
Grubb also mentioned other tight ends such as Danny Lewis Jr. and Jay Lindsey, who will be called upon to step up in Ford’s absence. The Crimson Tide will look to maintain their offensive balance against Vanderbilt on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 11:45 a.m. on SEC Network.
Ford’s injury is a significant blow to Alabama’s offense, given his role as both a reliable target and a strong blocker. The team’s ability to adapt will be tested in the coming weeks as they navigate the remainder of the season without one of their leaders on the field.
Colin Gay of The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network, first reported Ford’s injury. He can be reached at cgay@gannett.com or followed on X and Instagram @colingaytnews.
According to Yahoo Sports.