Alabama is still waiting to find out whether Josh Ford can make it back for Saturday night’s game against No. 2 Georgia in Tuscaloosa, but the early signs have been encouraging. Kalen DeBoer said Wednesday evening that the tight end, an Oklahoma State transfer, is "actually progressing along fairly well right now" after breaking his arm last week against Mississippi State and having surgery Sunday.
Ford’s situation adds another layer to a game already being watched closely for reasons beyond the matchup itself. Alabama, Georgia and the SEC continued discussing plans for the Tuscaloosa game as the weather forecast was monitored because of Hurricane Isaias, and the University of Alabama said kickoff remained scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday.
For Alabama, Ford’s status matters because he gives the offense another option at tight end in a high-profile SEC game. DeBoer said Ford is determined to get on the football field, but the team still has to be sure he meets the physical standards needed to play.
What Alabama is saying
DeBoer did not rule Ford in or out, but his tone suggested the team has not closed the door on a quick return. "He's doing a great job, and it's going well. We are optimistic," DeBoer said. Still, he added that Alabama must make sure Ford is physically ready before he returns to action.
That makes the next few days important. Ford would be trying to come back just six days after surgery, which is an aggressive timeline even if the recovery is moving in the right direction. Alabama will continue to monitor his progress as the game against Georgia approaches.
For now, the clearest answer is that Ford remains under review, and Alabama remains on track for Saturday night in Tuscaloosa.
