Alabama Just Showed How it Really Feels About AK Dear

For the second straight week, the Alabama Crimson Tide's rushing attack struggled to get anything going, as Alabama managed just 61 yards on the ground against Texas A&M on Saturday afternoon.

Yes, the Crimson Tide were able to come away with a 31-20 win, but they trailed 20-17 before staging a late comeback, and let's be honest: the Aggies aren't very good.

The week prior, Alabama accumulated a grand total of 54 rushing yards versus Tennessee in what ended up being a 26-10 loss.

The Crimson Tide will head into their bye week before facing LSU in Baton Rouge on Nov. 7, and I'll just say that there is no way 'Bama can run the ball like that and expect to get a win against the Tigers.

My question: where is AK Dear in all of this?

Alabama was without EJ Crowell on Saturday, as the freshman was sidelined with a knee injury. That created a perfect opportunity for Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb to get Dear some burn. Instead, he didn't get a single touch.

Daniel Hill carried the ball nine times for 36 yards. Trae'shawn Brown toted the rock seven times for 11 yards. Even Kevin Riley got an attempt, which went for four yards.

But Dear, the hyped four-star sophomore who's been itching to see the field? Nothing.

I understand that Alabama's struggles in the run game go deeper than the ball-carrier. The offensive line is beat up, and even the Crimson Tide's healthy linemen have not been playing up to par. Just ask Keelon Russell.

But considering how nothing has worked for 'Bama on the ground the last couple of games, you would think the Tide would at least try going to Dear.

That hasn't happened, and Alabama is making abundantly clear that it feels Dear simply isn't ready for that responsibility.

It's strange considering just how much hoopla there was surrounding Dear heading into fall camp and how much dismay there was when he suffered an ankle injury during a scrimmage.

Dear was sidelined for the first few weeks of the campaign before ultimately returning against South Carolina on Sept. 26. He has just two carries since. That's less than transfer running back Khalifa Keith.

The future is certainly murky for Dear, as well, considering Hill is a junior and both Brown and Crowell are freshmen.

Where does that leave Dear moving forward?

One thing is for sure: it certainly doesn't look like Dear will be getting anything playing time here in 2026.