Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell will not start against Vanderbilt on Saturday, Nov. 14, according to the Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Russell suffered an ankle injury last week against LSU but was able to finish out the game. He was listed as probable on every SEC availability report this week but will cede his starting role to talented backup Austin Mack to rest his ankle.
Mack, a fourth-year player, narrowly lost the starting gig to Russell in a quarterback competition that started in spring practices and lasted late into fall camp. The former four-star recruit followed coach Kalen DeBoer from Washington to Alabama after his true
freshman season.
Mack is expected to receive plenty of interest in the transfer portal after this season, should he decide to leave Alabama. Mack only has one season of eligibility left and Russell has at least one more season in college before potentially leaving for the NFL draft.
“He’s a great player,” DeBoer said of Mack. “Definitely should not be thinking of him as a guy who’s just going to be a backup, because that’s not how we think of him.”
Here's what to know of Russell's injury before Alabama's game against Vanderbilt in Week 11:
Keelon Russell injury update
Russell is expected to be available for Alabama against Vanderbilt in Week 11, per ESPN's Pete Thamel, but isn't expected to start as he deals with an ankle injury he suffered against LSU.
Alabama has the luxury of resting Russell due to having Mack, a starting-caliber quarterback in his fourth season with DeBoer. It also helps it's facing Vanderbilt, which is 4-5 this season with its only conference win against Kamario Taylor-less Mississippi State last week.
Russell managed to play through his injury in Alabama's 31-13 win over the Tigers last week, throwing three touchdowns passes despite briefly entering the medical tent on the sideline during the game.
With Russell available but Mack starting, it'll be interesting to see if Alabama goes back to Russell if it finds itself in an unexpected close game late against the Commodores.
Who is Austin Mack?
Mack, a 6-foot-6 quarterback from Folsom, California, was the No. 215-ranked player of the 2023 class and No. 16 quarterback, per 247Sports' Composite rankings. He signed with Washington out of high school before transferring to Alabama with DeBoer, who left the Huskies after leading them to the national championship game against Michigan.
Mack is set to make his first career start against Vanderbilt after waiting in the wings the last three seasons. He narrowly lost the starting job to Russell in the offseason, after also losing the role to Ty Simpson the year prior.
Mack still has one season of eligibility left after this season and is expected to be a sought-after player in the transfer portal if he decides to leave Alabama. He'll have the chance to put out some good tape against the Commodores for teams to watch, too.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Keelon Russell injury update: Why Alabama is starting Austin Mack at QB
