Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Domani Jackson (1) celebrates after making an interception during the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images
As Alabama football enters the 2025 spring season, the team faces several challenges on both sides of the ball, as is typical in any offseason. However, for the Crimson Tide, one of the most pressing issues revolves around injuries that have affected key positions. Particularly troubling is the impact of injuries to two players, Cuevas and Pritchett, which have made one of Alabama’s smallest positions even smaller. The depth and talent at this position were already thin, and with these injuries, the Crimson Tide’s coaching staff is being forced to make adjustments to ensure the team’s competitiveness as they prepare for another SEC title run.
While spring practice is meant to be a time of growth and development, for Alabama’s coaching staff, it has become an intense battle to fill holes left by these injuries, particularly in the defensive backfield, where both Cuevas and Pritchett play. The injuries have compounded the challenges of an already thin position, one that has historically been pivotal to Nick Saban’s defensive success. The ramifications of these injuries will be felt throughout the team, and the way Saban and his staff respond will be key to shaping the team’s defensive identity as the season progresses.
This article will dive into the injuries to Cuevas and Pritchett, the effects these injuries have had on Alabama’s spring practices, and the larger implications for the team’s defensive depth and strategy in the 2025 season.
The Defensive Backfield: A Critical Position
Before we delve into the specific injuries, it’s important to understand the significance of the defensive backfield in Alabama football’s overall defensive structure. Under head coach Nick Saban, Alabama has built one of the most dominant defenses in college football, and the secondary has been a cornerstone of that success. With Saban’s defensive philosophy emphasizing versatility, speed, and the ability to read the quarterback’s intentions, having strong, dependable defensive backs is non-negotiable.
The defensive backfield at Alabama has traditionally included a combination of cornerbacks, safeties, and nickelbacks, each with specific roles designed to disrupt the opposing offense’s passing game. A strong secondary is integral to Alabama’s ability to pressure the quarterback and stop the pass, as Saban’s defenses often rely on forcing opposing quarterbacks into uncomfortable situations. With that in mind, injuries to key players at this position are always a cause for concern, especially in spring practice when teams are evaluating new talent and preparing for the upcoming season.
The Injuries: Cuevas and Pritchett’s Impact
Cuevas’ Injury: A Significant Loss
Cuevas, a highly regarded defensive back with great potential, had been a key figure in Alabama’s plans for the 2025 season. Known for his sharp instincts, ability to cover receivers in tight spaces, and physicality, Cuevas was expected to play a significant role in Alabama’s secondary this year. However, the spring practice injury to Cuevas has left a noticeable gap in Alabama’s defensive backfield.
The injury to Cuevas was particularly problematic because it came at a time when the team was relying on him to help solidify the defensive back rotation. With multiple defensive backs having graduated or declared for the NFL Draft, Cuevas’ injury has further thinned out a position that was already lacking in depth. The injury is expected to sideline him for a significant portion of the spring season, and depending on his recovery, it could extend into the fall.
Without Cuevas, the coaching staff faces the challenge of finding another player to step into his role. His absence puts more pressure on the other defensive backs to step up and contribute at a high level. Whether through development of younger players or experimentation with alternative lineups, this injury forces Alabama to look beyond its projected depth chart to maintain the level of play the team needs.
Pritchett’s Injury: Adding to the Woes
Pritchett, another promising player in Alabama’s secondary, also sustained an injury during spring practice. Pritchett was expected to play a significant role as either a cornerback or a safety, and his ability to cover ground and disrupt the passing game was crucial to the team’s defensive success. Much like Cuevas, Pritchett’s injury has compounded the challenges faced by Alabama’s defense.
With both Cuevas and Pritchett sidelined, Alabama now finds itself in a precarious situation, as two players who were central to the defensive backfield plans are unavailable. The team’s secondary is now even thinner, and the coaching staff must quickly adapt to avoid a situation where lack of depth could lead to vulnerabilities in the pass defense.
The Consequences for Alabama’s Secondary
The Battle for Depth
One of the immediate consequences of these injuries is the battle for depth in Alabama’s defensive backfield. In spring practice, teams typically rotate players to evaluate how they perform in different roles and situations, and the injuries to Cuevas and Pritchett have limited Alabama’s ability to experiment with different lineups. With both players out, Alabama must rely on younger, less experienced players to fill the gaps.
For players who have not yet had significant playing time, this presents a golden opportunity to prove their worth. However, the pressure is on for these players to step up quickly, especially given the high expectations that surround Alabama football and the importance of having a strong secondary in the SEC. The challenge lies in whether these young players can step up to the challenge and contribute immediately. Historically, Alabama has been known for developing talent at every position, but with the injuries piling up, this will be an early test of the team’s ability to bring players along quickly and efficiently.
The Shift in Defensive Strategy
The injuries to Cuevas and Pritchett also force Nick Saban and defensive coordinator Kevin Steele to reconsider certain aspects of Alabama’s defensive strategy. With less depth in the secondary, the team may be forced to adjust its defensive philosophy. For example, Alabama may need to play more zone coverage to compensate for potential mismatches in man-to-man coverage due to the lack of experienced depth at cornerback. The team might also lean more heavily on the defensive front to create pressure on the quarterback, allowing the defensive backs to have more time to react to passing plays.
Another possible shift could be in Alabama’s use of safeties in a hybrid role. Saban has often used versatile defensive backs who can line up in multiple positions, whether it’s in the box against the run or deep in coverage. Without full confidence in their depth, Alabama may focus on using versatile players who can wear multiple hats to compensate for the injuries.
A Recruiting Focus on Secondary Depth
As Alabama moves through spring practice and prepares for the fall, the coaching staff will certainly place an even greater emphasis on recruiting and developing secondary players. The injuries to Cuevas and Pritchett underscore the importance of having depth at every position, but especially in the secondary, where injuries and inconsistent play can quickly become a liability.
The injuries also provide a reminder that, even at a program as dominant as Alabama, depth must always be a priority. Nick Saban and his staff are likely to ramp up their focus on recruiting elite defensive backs to ensure that they are never in a position where injuries to key players severely compromise the quality of play in the secondary.
The Bright Side: Opportunities for Young Talent
While the injuries to Cuevas and Pritchett have presented challenges, they have also created opportunities for younger players to emerge. Spring practice is often the time when new talent is evaluated and given the chance to earn playing time in the upcoming season. With Cuevas and Pritchett sidelined, young cornerbacks and safeties now have an opportunity to prove themselves.
This could be a pivotal moment for some of the highly ranked recruits who have been waiting for their opportunity to play at Alabama. The program’s reputation for developing players could be on full display as these young talents vie for playing time and aim to contribute to the Crimson Tide’s defensive success.
The leadership vacuum created by the absence of two key players could also provide opportunities for veterans who have been in the program for a few years but have yet to see significant playing time. These players can step up and provide guidance to the younger players, ensuring that Alabama’s secondary maintains its competitive edge despite the injuries.
