Alabama OC Nick Sheridan Emphasizes Support for Injured WR Jalen Hale

Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan is focused on supporting Jalen Hale as he works back from injury.

Sep 30, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jalen Hale (14). / Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— Rather than focus on who might fill the void in the wide receiver group this spring caused by Jalen Hale's recent injury, Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan is putting a point of emphasis on supporting the sophomore.

Hale went down on March 26 with what head coach Kalen DeBoer subsequently described as a "significant knee injury." He will be unavailable for the time that remains in spring practice, culminating in A-Day on April 13, but DeBoer said March 28 that there would be further evaluation to determine a concrete timetable.

"We just really focus on him, and how we can be there to support him," Sheridan said on Friday. "We want to do everything we can to surround him with love and support because he's a great kid." Hale himself said in a social media post March 30 that he had been released from the hospital and the injury was not worst-case scenario.

The message from Sheridan has been less about who will step up and take the reps to be had in Hale's absence and more about being there for their teammate. Hale caught five passes for 148 yards and a score during his first collegiate season in 2023. He plans to return "stronger than ever," according to the aforementioned post on social media wherein he provided a status update.

There will be a second scrimmage of spring practice on Saturday, followed by A-Day the next weekend. Upon his return, Hale will be one of the pass catchers who has an established rapport with 2023 starting quarterback Jalen Milroe. The Texas native played in 13 games last season.