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Alabama loses Jase McClellan to ACL tear

 Billy Jones   in Football

McClellan's season-ending injury leaves Alabama with only three scholarship running backs. 

Photo credits to the University of Alabama

Alabama running back Jase McClellan will be out for the remainder of the season due to an ACL tear suffered in a dominant victory over Ole Miss. 

McClellan started the Southern Miss game, running 12 times for 97 yards. This injury leaves Alabama with only three scholarship running backs.

It is unclear whether starting running back Brian Robinson's rib injury has healed, though his 36 carries against Ole Miss seem to suggest he's fine.

Offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien will have to find a way around a difficult challenge due. Robinson will continue to be the starter. He has rushed 73 times for 379 yards with six touchdowns (four of which were last week). However,  his receiving numbers are lacking as has caught the ball only four times for 17 yards.

Behind Robinson is sophomore Roydell Williams who saw some action in the Ole Miss game after McClellan’s injury. Williams has 24 rushes for 154 yards and a touchdown but no receptions. 

Sophomore Trey Sanders could provide a third option. He saw action in a few of the earlier games this season where he carried the ball 20 times for 83 yards and added a 3-yard catch.

While the Crimson Tide offense is seemingly always potent no matter which five-star is on the field, the lack of backfield catching could provide a problem for the Tide offense down the stretch. There is no shortage of speed and ability in the backfield, but the lack of experience and pass-catching ability could be a weakness for this offense as the season progresses.