ESPN’s Pete Thamel provided a significant update on Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor as the team prepares for their Week 3 game against the Wisconsin Badgers. Proctor has been sidelined with a shoulder injury that has kept him out of the first two games of the 2024 season. During the “College GameDay Podcast,” Thamel discussed Proctor’s availability and noted that he wouldn’t base his predictions on Proctor playing in the upcoming game.
“I will be checking in on that later in the week,” Thamel said. “Yeah, I wouldn’t count on him in your pick. Let’s put it that way. They’ve said day-to-day, but I wouldn’t count on him.”
Thamel emphasized that the decision about Proctor’s participation is ultimately up to Alabama’s coaches and will be made based on what’s best for the team. While there’s a possibility Proctor could see action against Wisconsin, the coaches might opt to hold him out and use the Week 4 bye to prepare for their critical clash with the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs.
“When do you push the button, right?” Thamel added. “When do you feel like you’re really going to need him? Is it all the way to Georgia?”
Proctor, a former five-star recruit, started 14 games at left tackle last season and earned All-SEC Freshman Team honors. After exploring NIL opportunities with the Iowa Hawkeyes in the spring, he returned to Tuscaloosa but remains affected by an injury from fall camp.
Thamel concluded by affirming that Proctor will return to play this season, but the exact timing is uncertain. “He’ll be back this year,” Thamel said. “It’s just a matter of when.”
The No. 4 Crimson Tide will face the Badgers on September 14 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, with kickoff scheduled for noon ET on Fox.
