Knee injuries compromise season for Hart and White

Although it is not mandatory, more than a few people would concur that in order for a team to have an “elite season” in college football…the team must remain healthy.

While the 2012 edition of the Alabama Crimson Tide are currently 5-0, and ranked No. 1 in the nation, the ultimate “12^th Man”...appears to be the orthopedic surgeon.

As was documented following the Tide’s victory over Ole Miss, ‘Bama, yet again, sustained several injuries in the contest, and two of which have been confirmed as season-enders.

Running back Dee Hart, and wide receiver DeAndrew White, will miss the remainder of the 2012 season due to the right knee injuries they both sustained against the Rebels. In respect to Hart, who suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in July of 2011, this current setback is all the more disappointing and unfortunate.

In terms of possible replacements for DeAndrew White, freshman Amari Cooper had a career-game against Ole Miss, and will now be called upon even more as the season progresses. Cyrus Jones, Marvin Shinn, and Danny Woodson Jr., are also viable options at the wide receiver position, although none of them have garnered substantial playing time.

As for Dee Hart’s replacement, freshman Kenyan Drake will now fill the third spot in the rotation behind Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon. On the surface, one can also anticipate redshirt freshman Brent Calloway making the move from the h-back position, to running back. Calloway, who enrolled at Alabama as a running back, would give the Tide a bigger body, at 6-foot-1, 220-pounds.

Dee Hart and DeAndrew White will now join wide receiver Chris Black, running back Jalston Fowler, and safety Jarrick Williams, on the unfortunate list of Tide players who have sustained season-ending injuries since the month of August.