TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama suffered another injury blow as sources close to the university confirmed freshman defensive end LaBryan Ray suffered a broken foot during practice Thursday. Ray reportedly had surgery on the injury Friday.
The 6-foot-5, 272-pound defensive lineman joins a vast list of Alabama players who have suffered injuries this season. Due to the timing of the injury, it appears unlikely that Ray will return by the end of the season. If he does miss the rest of the year, he will join linebackers Christian Miller (biceps), Terrell Lewis (elbow), Shaun Dion Hamilton (ACL) and Mack Wilson (foot) as well as offensive lineman Brandon Kennedy (leg) and tight end Miller Forristall (ACL) as Alabama players who have been ruled out for the season.
However, Alabama head coach Nick Saban did leave the door open for a possible return from Miller and Lewis, stating while neither player has been medically cleared, both were in the “functional phase” of rehab.
Ray was the No. 1 player in the state of Alabama and the No. 45 player overall in the 2017 class. Through 10 games this season, he has recorded five tackles, 2.5 for a loss, and a sack.
No. 1 Alabama (10-0, 7-0 in the SEC) will host FCS opponent Mercer (5-5) on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT for the last game inside of Bryant-Denny Stadium this season. The game will be televised on SEC Network.
