Alabama D-lineman LT Overton cleared to return for playoff quarterfinals

Alabama defensive lineman LT Overton has been cleared to return from an undisclosed illness, sources confirm to BamaOnLine. Overton will play in the Crimson Tide’s Rose Bowl matchup with Indiana on New Year’s Day. CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz first reported the Overton news.

Earlier on Tuesday, Overton stated, “Back like I never left,” on his Instagram story.

On Monday, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer provided an update on Overton’s progress.

“LT, just continue to monitor him,” DeBoer said. “Definitely not ruling him out right now, but we’ll continue to evaluate him and see how things go here in the days ahead.”

Overton has missed the last two games because of an illness. The senior started the first 12 games of Alabama’s 2025 season before being ruled out for the SEC Championship Game. He is second on the team in sacks (4) and has recorded 35 tackles and six tackles for loss.

Overton’s return will be a boost for an Alabama defense that recorded a season-high five sacks in its 34-24 playoff win over Oklahoma. One of Overton’s backups, Keon Keeley, had one of the five sacks. The senior was missed in the Crimson Tide’s SEC title game loss to Georgia.

DeBoer said on Monday that Alabama was “as healthy as we’ve been in a long time.” The Tide offense was nearly at full strength in Norman. Now, the defense is healthy with Overton back.

Alabama will play Indiana in Pasadena, Calif., on Thursday, January 1, at 3 p.m. CT (ESPN).

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