Kadyn Proctor was unexpectedly unavailable for the Alabama Crimson Tide’s 2024 season opener against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
What’s the latest on Proctor’s injury, and what his outlook will be moving forward?
What Happened to Kadyn Proctor?
Proctor was the Crimson Tide’s full-time starter at left tackle as a true freshman in 2023, playing across from first-round pick JC Latham. A brief transfer saga in the offseason saw him shift to Iowa and then back to Alabama, and Proctor was slated to start the team’s Week 1 clash.
However, just before Alabama’s game against Western Kentucky, Proctor was revealed to be wearing a sling on his left arm.
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According to Alabama reporter Mike Rodak, Proctor originally began warm-ups with the first-team unit and was initially anticipated to be available. But Proctor left warm-ups early with an apparent injury. When he returned, he was wearing street clothes and his sling.
Kadyn Proctor has his left arm in an apparent sling on the sideline. It's covered by his shirt, but he's holding it over his body. In street clothes now after beginning pregame warmups in uniform at first-team LT but leaving with his injury before the end of warmups.
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) August 31, 2024
Redshirt sophomore Elijah Pritchett got the start at left tackle in Proctor’s place. Pritchett would later suffer an ankle injury, which he had wrapped on the sideline.
At the moment, it’s unclear if Proctor’s injury will be a long-term one. If so, it’ll surely be a blow to Alabama’s depth at the offensive tackle spot. But in a Week 1 contest against Western Kentucky, there’s little risk in taking precautions.
Once given a chance to speak with the media, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer will be able to provide an update on Proctor’s status and the turn of events that led to his removal from the lineup.
Proctor was a five-star recruit and a top-10 national talent in the 2023 recruiting class.
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