Report: Alabama OLB to Miss Time with Foot Injury

Qua Russaw exited in the first half of the Crimson Tide's victory over Georgia.

Sep 14, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Qua Russaw (4) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Alabama picked up a huge road win over No. 5 Georgia on Saturday, but it isn't all positive news for the Crimson Tide. Starting outside linebacker and redshirt sophomore Qua Russaw left the game in the first half and was ruled out in the second half of the victory. Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer did not provide on update on Russaw immediately following the game.

Russaw is going to have surgery on Sunday and will miss some time this season according to a report by Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.

Alabama is already thin at the Wolf position with Jah-Marien Latham suffering a neck injury on Tuesday at practice. Next up at the position for the Crimson Tide is redshirt sophomore Yhonzae Pierre and true freshman Justin Hill. Pierre performed well on Saturday in the win over the Bulldogs when his role increased, finishing with four total tackles.

After redshirting his freshman season, Russaw has continued to grow into a more prominent role on the Crimson Tide defense. He has started all four games for Alabama this season with three total tackles and one sack.

Alabama had high expectations for Russaw coming into this season. During fall camp, Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack called Russaw the "freakiest" player on the Tide defense. There has not yet been a timetable announced for Russaw's return. DeBoer will speak to the media on Monday afternoon and will likely provide an update then.

The Crimson Tide is now 3-1 (1-0 SEC) with the win over Georgia and will face the Vanderbilt Commodores inside Bryant-Denny Stadium this Saturday. Alabama struggled to stop Diego Pavia and the Commodores last season and will need a much better defensive performance this year.

Russaw was the only major injury for the Crimson Tide in the win over Georgia. It was a return from injury for running back Jam Miller and defensive lineman Tim Keenan III. Alabama was able to use the first of its two bye weeks on the season to give multiple players time to rest and recover.

Alabama's remaining schedule:

vs. Vanderbilt- Oct. 4, 2:30 p.m.
at Missouri- Oct. 11, 11 a.m.
vs. Tennessee- Oct. 18
at South Carolina- Oct. 25
vs. LSU- Nov. 8
vs. Oklahoma- Nov. 15
vs. Eastern Illinois- Nov. 22, 1 p.m.
at Auburn, Nov. 29

Catch up on all the postgame comments from DeBoer and Alabama's players on the BamaCentral YouTube channel: