Somehow, Week 1 just got worse for Alabama.
Alabama's season-opening loss to Florida State came with even more bad news after the game.
As the No. 8-ranked Crimson Tide attempted a comeback in the fourth quarter, sophomore wide receiver Ryan Williams took a hard helmet-to-helmet hit from Seminoles defensive back Earl Little Jr. that left him dazed on the ground. He was eventually helped off the field by trainers and did not return to the game.
The play was reviewed for targeting but officials deemed it a legal hit.
Ryan Williams was helped off the field after suffering an apparent injury in the 4th quarter vs. FSU.
— ESPN (@espn) August 30, 2025
There was no targeting after review on the play. pic.twitter.com/3jFuXYSJ3I
Once Florida State wrapped up the 31-17 win, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer told reporters that Williams had sustained a concussion. The severity of the concussion is unclear.
It had already been a tough game for the 18-year-old Williams, who entered 2025 with a mountain of hype after a freshman season that saw him make All-American teams as a teenager. He finished the game with five receptions for only 30 yards and no touchdowns.
By comparison, that would have been Williams' third-lowest receiving yard total of his breakout freshman season. There were many reasons the Tide got stunned on Saturday, but Williams had some costly drops. And now they don't know when he'll be able to play next.
Category: General Sports
