ReliaQuest opt-outs and injury report: Top Alabama and Michigan players not playing

On Tuesday at noon ET, the Alabama Crimson Tide will face the Michigan Wolverines in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl. Alabama finished 9-3 and defeated Auburn 28-14 in their final game, although they lost out on the playoffs. Michigan, however, finished the season 7-5 with a surprise 13-10 victory over Ohio State.

ReliaQuest Bowl opt-outs & injury report

Alabama

Alabama has several players not playing due to being in the transfer portal. However, starting quarterback Jalen Milroe is not one of them.

• Dylan Lonergan, QB (transfer portal)
• Justice Haynes, RB (transfer portal)
• Caleb Odom, WR (transfer portal)
• Emmanuel Henderson Jr., WR (transfer portal)
• Kendrick Law, WR (transfer portal)
• Kobe Prentice, WR (transfer portal)
• Naquil Betrand, OL (transfer portal)
• Miles McVay, OL (transfer portal)
• Damon Payne, DL (transfer portal)
• Hunter Osborne, DL (transfer portal)
• Jaheim Oatis, DL (transfer portal)
• Keanu Koht, DL (transfer portal)
• Jahlil Hurley, CB (transfer portal)
• Jaylen Mbakwe, CB (transfer portal)
• DeVonta Smith, S (transfer portal)

The Crimson Tide also have some key players not playing due to injuries:

Cole Adams, WR, injury

Cole Adams won't play in the ReliaQuest injury due to an undisclosed injury. Adams recorded six receptions for 94 yards this season.

Deontae Lawson, LB, injury

Crimson Tide linebacker Deontae Lawson won't play due to an injury. Lawson recorded 76 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception.

Quandarrius Robinson, LB, injury

Linebacker Quandarrius Robinson also won't play in the ReliaQuest Bowl due to an injury. He recorded 23 tackles, four sacks, and a forced fumble this season.

Keon Sabb, S, injury

The final player out with an injury is safety Keon Sabb. He recorded 39 tackles and two interceptions in his first season with Alabama after playing for Michigan in 2023.

Michigan

Michigan will have most of its impact starters not playing due to them being in the NFL draft while several players are also in the portal:

• Anthony Arnou, QB (transfer portal)
• Jayden Denegal, QB (transfer portal)
• Cole Cabana, RB (transfer portal)
• Donovan Edwards, RB (opt-out)
• Kalel Millings, RB (opt-out)
• Tavierre Dunlap, RB (transfer portal)
• Logan Forbes, WR (transfer portal)
• Tyler Morris, WR (transfer portal)
• Colston Loveland, TE (opt-out)
• Andrew Gentry, OL (transfer portal)
• Dominick Giudice, OL (transfer portal)
• Raheem Anderson, OL (transfer portal)
• Tristan Bounds, OL (transfer portal)
• Kenneth Grant, DL (opt-out)
• Mason Graham, DL (opt-out)
• Christian Boivin, LB (transfer portal)
• Micah Pollard, LB (transfer portal)
• Ja'Den McBurrows, CB (injury - out)
• Myles Pollard, CB (transfer portal)
• Will Johnson, CB (opt-out)
• Tommy Doman, P (transfer portal)

The Wolverines do have four players injured.

Amorion Walker, WR, injury

Amorion Walker is questionable to play in the ReliaQuest Bowl due to an injury. Walker recorded three receptions for 34 yards.

Ja'Den McBurrows, CB, injury

Ja'Den McBurrows is out for the ReliaQuest Bowl due to an injury. McBurrows recorded four tackles this season.

Jaden Mangham, S, injury

Safety Jaden Mangham is questionable to play in the ReliaQuest Bowl due to an undisclosed injury.

Rod Moore, S, injury

Rod Moore won't play in the ReliaQuest Bowl due to an injury. Moore recorded 38 tackles and two interceptions this season.