The Crimson Tide is facing injury challenges even before the 2025-26 season begins. Following a recent foot injury, Alabama guard Jalil Bethea is out of action after a left foot injury that required surgery.
But there is hope for a quicker recovery for the sophomore guard. Insider has provided updates, indicating that while Bethea is sidelined, his return to the court could happen sooner than initially expected.
Alabama Guard Jalil Bethea Undergoes Surgery; Return Timeline Revealed
Alabama sophomore guard Jalil Bethea is recovering from surgery on a broken pinky toe sustained during practice.
Head coach Nate Oats confirmed the injury, saying, “Jalil Bethea injured his left foot during practice this week, which required surgery to repair. The procedure was performed by Dr. Norman Waldrop with Andrews Sports Medicine on Friday, Sept. 19th in Birmingham.”
He continued, “While there is no timetable for Bethea’s return, we do not anticipate this injury is season-ending and we expect him to return this year.”
News:
“Jalil Bethea injured his left foot during practice this week, which required surgery to repair. The procedure was performed by Dr. Norman Waldrop with Andrews Sports Medicine on Friday, Sept. 19th in Birmingham. While there is no timetable for Bethea’s return, we do not…
— Yea Alabama (@yea_ala) September 21, 2025
According to insider Adam Zagoria, reporting on Monday, September 22, Bethea “could potentially return by late November.” Zagoria also noted that there is “no official timetable… per the school” for his return. Another source told ZAGSBLOG that a late November comeback is possible.
Bethea posted an Instagram story on Sunday, September 21, showing himself in a wheelchair with a cast on his left foot. He captioned the photo simply, “I’ll be back.”
Bethea, a 6’5″ guard from Philadelphia, averaged 7.1 points and 2.1 rebounds last season at Miami before transferring to Alabama this spring. He was a five-star prospect out of high school.
This recovery timeline means Bethea will miss Alabama’s preseason exhibitions against Florida State and Furman in October, as well as the regular season opener versus North Dakota on November 3. He would also likely sit out the Crimson Tide’s first away game against St. John’s at Madison Square Garden on November 8.
A return in late November could hopefully allow Bethea to debut with Alabama on the road against Illinois on November 19 or during Alabama’s second annual appearance at the Players’ Era Festival in Las Vegas.
Alabama will begin on-court preparations for the upcoming season on October 16, when the Crimson Tide faces Florida State in the “Ballin’ in Boutwell” exhibition in Birmingham.
While the injury is a setback for the Crimson Tide, both the coaching staff and sources indicate that Bethea’s recovery is progressing and that he is expected to contribute later in the season.
