TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama’s running back line is down to four healthy scholarship players.

Head coach Nick Saban confirmed freshman Trey Sanders suffered a foot injury in Thursday’s practice, which will require surgery. On Saturday, Sanders arrived at Bryant-Denny Stadium for the Crimson Tide first of two preseason scrimmages on crutches and with a walking boot on his left foot.

“He will be out indefinitely,” said Saban of Sanders.

The significant injury to the former 5-star recruit leaves Alabama with juniors Najee Harris and Brian Robinson, redshirt freshman Jerome Ford and freshman Keilan Robinson for the 2019 season. Harris and Brian Robinson are now the veterans in the running back room with Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs moving on to the NFL and are expected to be the top two backs this fall.

But now, Ford and Keilan Robinson have opportunities to step up with Sanders out.

In Saturday’s scrimmage, Ford did that working with the second-team offense. The second-year back reeled off a long run against the first-team offense, and according to Saban, led the team in rushing. Saban was also complimentary of how Keilan Robinson complements the position group.

“They both did a good job today,” said Saban after the closed scrimmage. “I think Jerome Ford was probably the leading rusher out there, but he probably ran the ball more than anybody else. And I think Keilan had some explosive runs and played fast and probably gives us something that some of our guys don’t have when it comes to just being quick, fast and elusive.”

Alabama running back Jerome Ford

Last season, Ford rushed seven times for 37 yards across his four games of action. Thanks to the new redshirt rule, he was able to maintain a year of eligibility by only playing in those four games.

Keilan Robinson joined the team this summer with Sanders and had been fifth in the running back line prior to Friday. The No. 15-rated running back in the 2019 recruiting cycle, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, now moves up a spot because of Sanders’ injury.

Injuries are never good, but this does create chances for both Ford and Keilan Robinson.

Alabama is expecting big things from Harris and Brian Robinson, but it has routinely used three running backs at a time. New offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian said he could possibly lean on Harris as a bell-cow back at times, but he what he has seen from the entire tailback group.

“I’ve been very impressed, I have to say, with the receiving ability of all of our backs so far,” Sarkisian said. “I thought Najee and Brian did a really nice job this spring in catching the ball out of the backfield. Early on, what I’ve seen from Trey and Keilan, they provide those same type of things.

“That is something in this system … the running backs and receivers out of the backfield are a big benefit for us, especially when we know there’s going to be so much attention on the four wide receivers. I think we can create some good matchups with our running backs.”

Contact Charlie Potter by 247Sports' personal messaging or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter).

*** Take advantage of 30% OFF our Annual VIP Pass for the first year ***