Alabama star likely out multiple weeks after knee surgery, defensive back benched

By Creg Stephenson | cstephenson@al.comAlabama wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams had an arthroscopic procedure to repair a meniscus injury in his knee and is likely to miss a “couple of weeks,” ABC’s Katie George reported Saturday. Williams was already ruled out for Saturday’s game at Tennessee, but could miss additional games, George said during halftime of ABC’s broadcast of the Texas-Florida game. The Crimson Tide hosts Texas A&M next Saturday before a bye week leading into the Nov. 7 game at LSU. “We know that Ryan Coleman-Williams is unavailable (vs. Tennessee),” George said. “He’s been dealing with a meniscus injury the past three weeks, playing through it, but ultimately (doctors) wanted to go in, get it cleaned up, so he had it scoped. We’re told that he’s doing well, but we’re not likely going to see him for the next couple of weeks.”Coleman-Williams played with a brace on his knee vs. both Mississippi State and Georgia, but left the game vs. the Bulldogs after suffering an apparent concussion. He leads the Crimson Tide in receptions (23), yards (415) and touchdown catches (4) this season. George also reiterated an earlier report that Alabama center Racin Delgatty is out Saturday and that Mal Waldrep will start at center. In addition, cornerback Dijon Lee will not start vs. the Volunteers, partly due to performance but also as punishment for a late hit/personal foul call that allowed Georgia to run out the clock in the fourth quarter last week in Tuscaloosa.“He will play, but he’s not going to be a starter today, in part as a consequence because of his actions last week, but also because he has struggled in man coverage,” George said. “They need better execution in the back end.”Carmelo O’Neal replaced Lee at times during the Georgia game, and would presumably be in line to start vs. Tennessee. Coleman-Williams’ receiver role will likely be filled by some combination of Derek Meadows and Rico Scott. George also confirmed that sophomore George MacIntyre will make his second straight start at quarterback for Tennessee, while Faizon Brandon continues to recover from a shoulder injury suffered vs. Texas on Sept. 26. Brandon, who started the Volunteers’ first five games of the season, was pulled in the second half Oct. 3 vs. Auburn due to injury and ineffectiveness before missing last week’s game vs. Arkansas.“Faizon Brandon is available, but he’s not 100% as he continues to deal with that shoulder injury he suffered against Texas,” George said. “Josh Heupel tells us he’s going to go with George MacIntyre. He’s been consistent in practice, gotten the most reps the last few weeks, so they feel good about him there and his accuracy.”Kickoff for Alabama-Tennessee is set for 2:30 p.m. Central on ABC. Creg Stephenson became college sports managing producer for AL.com in 2026. A veteran of more than 30 years as a sports writer, he is a past president of the Alabama Sports Writers Association and has won...