AK Dear News, Rumors, Updates - Alabama Crimson Tide

Good to go vs. South Carolina Dear (ankle) is available for Alabama's clash with South Carolina in Week 4, per Charlie Potter of On3.com.

Impact Dear is ready to roll against the Gamecocks after he missed Week 3 with an ankle injury. The tailback has yet to suit up this season, but he's now primed to make his 2026 debut against South Carolina and he'll join a Crimson Tide backfield that's featured Daniel Hill, Trae'shawn Brown and EJ Crowell this season.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

DNP for Week 3 Dear (ankle) didn't play in Saturday's 50-36 win over Florida State.

Impact Dear warmed up ahead of Saturday's game but still isn't 100 percent as he sat out once again. The running back has been dealing with an ankle injury since the beginning of the season and will aim to make his season debut against South Carolina next Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

In uniform for warmups Dear (ankle) is in uniform for Alabama's pregame warmups ahead of Saturday's game versus Florida State, per Mike Rodak of 247Sports.com.

Impact Dear's official game status is still unknown, with an official report to surface closer to kickoff, but with him being in uniform, it's an assuring sign that he's making good progress toward potentially suiting up. The running back has yet to make his season debut as he aims to navigate his way through a crowded backfield to earn meaningful snaps.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Week 3 Dear (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's game against Florida State, Pete Nakos of On3.com reports.

Impact For the second straight week, Dear is officially questionable going into a game. The last time this happened was at Kentucky, and he ended up not playing. He will look to avoid the same before Alabama's upcoming rematch with Florida State, whom defeated the Crimson Tide last year. Dear did not play then, but he did suit up for 2025, finishing that year with 19 rushing attempts for 140 yards and three touchdowns.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing in Week 2 Dear (ankle) is out for Saturday's game against Kentucky.

Impact Dear was initially listed as questionable for Saturday in Wednesday's earlier report, but the tailback has been downgraded to out. Kevin Riley and Trae'shawn Brown saw increased work in his absence last week, and both are in line to continue seeing extra touches in the backfield with Dear out. He'll aim to return to face FSU on Saturday, Sept. 19.

SEPTEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Listed questionable vs. Alabama Dear (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's game against Kentucky.

Impact A recent report from Nick Kelly of AL.com indicated that Dear was the closest Crimson Tide player to a potential return, so it makes sense for the running back to be marked as questionable prior to Saturday's game. The sophomore running back is aiming to make his season debut in a crowded backfield after Kevin Riley and Trae'shawn Brown saw increased work in his absence last week.

SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Kalen DeBoer offers promising injury updates on Alabama's AK Dear and Jireh Edwards It was noticed in the pregame for Alabama's season-opener on Saturday against East Carolina that three injured Tide players, RB AK Dear, S J...

SEPTEMBER 7 • BAMAHAMMER.COM

Closest to return Dear (ankle) is the closest to returning among Alabama's injured players, Nick Kelly of AL.com reports.

Impact Among the Alabama team's relatively small number of injured players, Dear being the closest to returning suggests at least a small possibility that he can be available right away. The Crimson Tide will return to SEC action by visiting Kentucky on Saturday, so it presents an opportune time for him to acclimate and step up in their loaded running back room.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Out for opener Dear (ankle) is out for Saturday's game versus East Carolina, Mike Rodak of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Dear, who was doubtful heading into Saturday's contest, is unsurprisingly out for the season opener. He was dressed and warmed up ahead of the game, but his injured ankle will prevent him from playing. His next chance to play is next Saturday at Kentucky.

SEPTEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

In uniform, may not play Dear (ankle) is uniform for pregame warmups ahead of Saturday's contest versus East Carolina, Charlie Potter of On3.com reports.

Impact Dear is expected to miss multiple games to open the season, so his presence in uniform is a bit of a surprise. That said, it doesn't necessarily mean the sophomore back is ready to take the field quite yet. Assuming he remains on the timeline initially proposed of missing multiple games to open the season, Dear would be looking at a return in mid-to-late September.

SEPTEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

AK Dear sighting in Alabama practice video probably means less than fans think Social media exploded on Wednesday night when Crimson Coverage noted that in the official practice footage released by Alabama, you catch a...

SEPTEMBER 3 • BAMAHAMMER.COM

Going to miss multiple games Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said that Dear (ankle) will miss a few games to start the season, per Chris Low of On3.com.

Impact Dear got banged up during the first preseason scrimmage with an ankle injury that will sideline him for a couple of games. At first, it was thought that the running back could miss over six weeks, but now he could be back in action by the end of September for the Crimson Tide. If the timeline is accurate, Dear could make his season debut Sept. 26 against South Carolina.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

No. 13 Alabama looks to return to the CFP with a new starting QB, Mack or Russell

No. 13 Alabama looks to make back-to-back appearances in the College Football Playoff under third-year coach Kalen DeBoer and potentially end the Southeastern Conference’s three-ye...

AUGUST 19 • Associated Press

The 'Impressive Young Player' Stepping Up in Alabama's Run Game Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb applauds the "next-man-up" mentality from Trae'shawn Brown, as EJ Crowell and AK Dear recover...

AUGUST 17 • SI.COM

AK Dear injury produces an unfortunate deja vu for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama Alabama sophomore RB AK Dear suffered an injury during the Crimson Tide's first scrimmage of fall camp, which will keep him out for at least...

AUGUST 15 • BAMAHAMMER.COM

What AK Dear's Injury Means for Alabama's Running Back Room Breaking down the Crimson Tide's options at running back after an injury in the first scrimmage.

AUGUST 15 • SI.COM

Alabama running back AK Dear to miss 6 weeks with an ankle injury, reports say

Alabama running back AK Dear is expected to miss about six weeks because of an ankle injury sustained in a preseason scrimmage

AUGUST 14 • Associated Press

AK Dear's injury timeline could complicate the quick start Alabama needs Alabama's first scrimmage of fall camp extracted a heavy toll with an injury to sophomore RB AK Dear. On Friday, it was reported that Dear w...

AUGUST 14 • BAMAHAMMER.COM

Injuries to AK Dear and EJ Crowell have opened the door for another young Alabama RB The first scrimmage of fall camp brought some bad news for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama. 5-star freshman RB EJ Crowell, who missed most of the s...

AUGUST 14 • BAMAHAMMER.COM

Set for extended absence Dear's injury is expected to hold him out for an extended period of time, per Pete Nakos of On3.com.

Impact Dear got banged up during Alabama's scrimmage Thursday, and the severity of the injury wasn't immediately known. The second-year tailback is reportedly dealing with a lower leg injury for which the recovery timeline is roughly six weeks; thus, it's not expected to be a season-ending ailment for the tailback. Daniel Hill, EJ Crowell and Kevin Riley figure to lead the way in the Crimson Tide's backfield this fall.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers injury during scrimmage Dear (undisclosed) suffered an injury during Alabama's scrimmage Thursday, per Charlie Potter of On3.com.

Impact Head coach Kalen DeBoer announced that the severity of AK Dear's injury is not yet known and that he will be evaluated. This is a tough setback for the running back, who was putting together a strong start to fall camp and capped a productive first scrimmage by scoring a touchdown. Dear saw limited action as a freshman last season, recording 19 rushing attempts for 140 yards and three touchdowns, but is primed to make noise in the running back room if the injury is minor.

AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE

Alabama Running Back Shows 'Maturity' Leading to Larger Opportunity AK Dear has become a better pass blocker and is showing more consistency in his second season with the Crimson Tide.

AUGUST 10 • SI.COM

Strong summer and promising fall Dear logged a strong summer and is having a promising fall camp, Clint Lamb of On3.com reports.

Impact The summer statement comes from Alabama's offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubbs, and Dear's promising fall stems from being the first running back used in practice drills for the Crimson Tide. That does not necessarily mean he will log the Alabama team's RB1 role, considering last year's Tide operated completely differently from how they ran their preseason running back room to their regular-season running back room. Still, the fall camp makes it appear that Dear will continue to log a meaningful role and potentially more after his 2025 season with 140 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

AUGUST 10 • ROTOWIRE

Two touchdowns in win over EIU Dear totaled nine rushes for 45 yards and two touchdowns and gathered in all two targets for 12 yards during Saturday's 56-0 victory against Eastern Illinois.

Impact Dear saw action for the third time this season and received his highest carry total after receiving just seven carries across his two previous appearances. Dear again cashed in when asked to contribute as he now has three touchdowns on 16 carries.

NOVEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Kevin Riley and AK Dear can provide the spark the Tide needs Saturday. With Tennessee's bottom-of-the-league rushing defense, Alabama should turn to its young runningbacks to provide a two-headed attack against...

OCTOBER 17, 2025 • BAMAHAMMER.COM

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No. 13 Alabama looks to return to the CFP with a new starting QB, Mack or Russell

Alabama running back AK Dear to miss 6 weeks with an ankle injury, reports say