The top team in the nation has its depth challenged with the announcement that starting receiver DeAndrew White will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
Alabama backup running back Dee Hart also sustained a knee injury and is considered out for he year, too, after fielding a punt.
White, a red-shirt sophomore from Houston, was hurt during the Crimson Tide’s victory over Mississippi Saturday. White was fourth on the team with eight receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns. He played the “X” receiver position for the Crimson Tide this season after serving as a backup a year ago.
Alabama was vague about the specific injury. Coach Nick Saban released a statement that said, “The MRI indicated that both Dee and DeAndrew sustained knee injuries that will require surgery and they will be out for the years.”
Second-string receiver Amari Cooper is expected to start in White’s absence alongside Kevin Norwood and Christion Jones.
Cooper, a true freshman and former four-star prospect from South Florida, caught eight passes and two touchdowns against Ole Miss, sending him into the team lead with 17 catches for 222 yards and three touchdowns.
It’s the second season-ending knee injury to Hart in as many years. He had played in all five games this season, rushing for 88 yards on 21 carries. He also contributed on special teams.
Alabama already lost its No. 2 running back for the year only a few weeks ago when Jalston Fowler injured his knee. That leaves Alabama with three scholarship running backs: starter Eddie Lacy true freshmen in T.J. Yeldon and Kenyan Drake
Yeldon entered the year as the co-No. 2 back on the depth chart with Fowler and became the first Alabama freshman to ever rush for 100 yards in his debut, doing so against Michigan in the season opener. He is second the team with 292 yards and two touchdowns on 50 carries.
Drake has come on mostly in cleanup duty this season, but he’s taken advantage of the opportunities, rushing for 126 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries.
