After being listed on Wednesday night's initial SEC Availability Report, the status of Alabama Crimson Tide starting quarterback Keelon Russell has been in question leading up to Saturday's road game at Vanderbilt as the result of an ankle injury.
Russell originally suffered the injury during the Crimson Tide's road win at LSU last week, but it was something that he was able to play through. The sophomore ended up finishing the game, but the ankle injury has now carried over to this week against Vanderbilt, leading to Russell carrying a "probable" tag for Week 11 this past Wednesday night.
Here is the latest update on Russell's status entering Alabama's Week 11 clash with Vanderbilt on Saturday.
Keelon Russell injury update vs. Vanderbilt
As of Friday night's Availability Report, Russell
is still considered as probable for Saturday's game at Vanderbilt, but even if the Alabama quarterback is good to go, it appears he still might not start. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, the expectation is that backup Austin Mack will get the start for the Crimson Tide against Vanderbilt.
Russell is still expected to be available, per Thamel, but will likely be held out in order to let his ankle heal, meaning that he would not play unless needed.
Sources: Alabama is expected to start Austin Mack at quarterback against Vanderbilt on Saturday. Starter Keelon Russell (ankle) is expected to be available, but the expectation is the Tide staff holds him out and lets his ankle heal. Russell has been listed as probable. pic.twitter.com/9pxTdfyCeS
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 13, 2026
Austin Mack set for first-career start vs. Vanderbilt
Assuming that Mack eventually gets the start for Alabama at Vanderbilt, it would be the first in the collegiate career for the now senior. Across his three seasons in Tuscaloosa after transferring from Washington, Mack has appeared in nine games since 2024 as a backup where he has completed 29-of-39 passes (74.4 CMP%) for 290 yards and three touchdowns with no picks. Mack has also rushed for two touchdowns.
The most action in a single game that Mack has seen at the collegiate level came a year ago during the Tide's CFP loss to Indiana in the Rose Bowl. Mack played a majority of the second half following an injury to starter Ty Simpson, and went on to complete 11-of-16 passes for 103 yards.
This season, Mack has appeared in four games as the primary backup to Russell where he has completed 3-of-4 passes for 23 yards, while also having rushed for a touchdown on three attempts. Mack has not played since the Mississippi State game.
Alabama football 2026 quarterback depth chart
- Starter: Keelon Russell (Sophomore)
- Primary Backup: Austin Mack (Senior)
- Other Backups: Jett Thomalla (Freshman), John Gazzaniga (Sophomore), Tayden Evan-Kaawa (Freshman), John Cooper (Junior)
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Is Keelon Russell playing today? Injury update for Alabama quarterback
