Cam Robinson Injury Reaffirms Star OL Is Alabama's Most Indispensable Player

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — University of Alabama sophomore left tackle Cam Robinson had experienced it before, but not quite to this extent.

On Saturday afternoon, he went down with an injury during the Crimson Tide’s third practice of training camp, when players were donning shells for the first time this fall. After getting rolled from behind in a pile, he was carted off the practice field, mostly as a precaution.

It put the Alabama fanbase on high alert. With no media access other than a short viewing period earlier during individual drills, the rumors started flying through social media and on message boards. Speculation zeroed in on a possible broken foot that could sideline him for months, if not the season.

Only it wasn’t true.

Robinson had a mild knee sprain and wouldn’t even miss the next practice. Nick Saban was quick to announce that he was “fine” during Alabama’s media session Sunday morning, and the left tackle shook his head while downplaying the whole thing.

“I try not to let that bother me too much,” he said. “Fans are…we have the greatest fans in America, so I’m pretty sure if they hear of anybody getting hurt it’s going to be a hold-your-breath-type moment.”

Although it turned out to be another Chicken Little incident led by people assuming the worst, the injury scare did reinforce the notion that Robinson may be the player Alabama can least afford to lose to an injury this season.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t depth concerns, especially at wide receiver, and cornerback has been an ongoing problem for years. Yet when Saban announced other injuries—wide receiver Chris Black and tight end Ty Flournoy-Smith with sprained ankles and cornerback Marlon Humphrey with a pulled muscle—they barely registered as a blip on the fanbase's radar.

But left tackle is different, especially when you have a really good one.

Last year, Robinson was the first true freshman to start at left tackle for Alabama since Andre Smith (who was just the seventh true freshman in school history to start in his first career game) in 2006. Smith went on to win the Outland Trophy and be the sixth selection in the 2009 NFL draft.

Robinson has that kind of potential. Against the pass-rushers the Southeastern Conference had to offer, he was credited with 32 knockdown blocks while surrendering just three sacks in 861 snaps.

With a good fall, he could be in the running for All-American honors along with some hardware, and he was named to the preseason All-SEC team during media days.

“I have high expectations for myself. I knew that if I came in and worked that I would be able to do a lot,” said Robinson, who then demonstrated that he’s mastered the diplomatic side of media interviews as well. “Whatever comes from Nick comes from Nick. Whatever accolades and whatever comes, I just try and play to the best of my ability, and hopefully I’ll earn [them].”

With Robinson, Alabama could have another monster offensive line, possibly its best since All-Americans Barrett Jones, Chance Warmack and D.J. Fluker were all manhandling opponents together during the 2012 title run.

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Moreover, at 6’6”, 326 pounds, he’s the Crimson Tide’s most intimidating player outside of his defensive counterpart with the same last name, A’Shawn.

So the thought of not having Robinson is something Crimson Tide fans want to avoid at all costs, just like it was in 2014.

“I’ve never questioned his mental toughness, even last year when he got hurt in the Tennessee game and we thought he’d be out for two to four weeks,” Saban said. “We had a bye week, and he played at LSU two weeks later.

“He’s a guy—some guys can deal with those types of things and it doesn’t bother them. He seems to be one of those guys that doesn’t complain much and really can manage the bumps and bruises that you get playing football. Everybody gets them, and some people can manage them and some people don’t.”

That injury against the Volunteers was one that looked a lot worse than what it was. After taking 33 snaps in the game, Robinson tried to help running back T.J. Yeldon when he got stood up at the end of a nine-yard run, only to have Tennessee players land on the back of his leg.

The injury turned out to be a high-ankle sprain. As was the case with this incident, Robinson’s knee brace saved him from potentially severe damage.

“I’m fine. It’ll be all right,” Robinson said.

The sound that came after that was from thousands of fans exhaling together in relief.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Christopher Walsh is a lead SEC college football writer.

Follow Christopher on Twitter @WritingWalsh.