Alabama Football Practice Dec 16, 2014

Alabama running backs coach Burton Burns works with Alabama running back Derrick Henry (27) as he works through drills during Alabama football practice, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

(Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)

Once upon a time, depth was far down the list of concerns in Alabama's backfield. Former star recruits were scout team members early last fall.

Slowly, and for a number of reasons, that luxury is long gone. The Crimson Tide running back situation remains strong at the top, but the supporting cast has thinned considerably. Behind Derrick Henry, there's a young and small group of backs. Most of them are hurt or coming off serious injuries.

Henry, the top rusher last season (172 carries for 990 yards), is joined by Kenyan Drake. The speedy back was limited in spring after breaking his leg last October against Ole Miss. Drake's still the most experienced back behind Henry.

After that, it gets dicey.

Departures of all kinds thinned a group beyond recognition. None of the other scholarship backs have carried a football in a college game.

The Wednesday exit of freshman DeSherrius Flowers goes on the long list of running backs who won't be playing at Alabama next fall. Take a look at the rundown of backs who finished with eligibility remaining or recruits who signed with the Tide.

Returners

-- Derrick Henry (172 carries, 990 yards): Returning for his junior season.

-- T.J. Yeldon (194-979): Left for NFL draft

-- Tyren Jones (36-224): Dismissed from the team in April

-- Altee Tenpenny (26-136): Transferred to UNLV

-- Kenyan Drake (22-122): Returning, but was limited in spring after breaking leg last October

-- Ronnie Clark (redshirt): Returning after tearing Achilles tendon in freshman season.

Signees

-- Bo Scarbrough: Tore his ACL in spring practice, but Nick Saban said this summer he's doing well and could see the field this fall.

-- DeSherrius Flowers: Declared ineligible after participating in spring practices

-- Damien Harris: Nation's No. 1 running back recruit is enrolled and set to compete for early playing time.

The roster also includes walk-ons Buddy Pell and Lawrence Erekosima, but neither have carried the ball in significant game action.

And there could be help on the way.

West Virginia graduate transfer Andrew Buie reportedly visited Alabama over the weekend. Eligible immediately, Buie was the Mountaineers' leading rusher in 2012 with 851 yards on 179 carries for seven touchdowns. He also caught 28 passes for 318 yards that year, but knee injuries limited him after that. He didn't play in 2013 and ran just 55 times for 232 yards last season and did not appear in the 33-23 season-opening loss to Alabama.