BREAKING: Alabama DB Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. Suspended for Violation of Team Rules, Ruled Out vs. Texas A&M
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. has been suspended for a violation of team rules and will not play in Saturday’s game against Texas A&M, a team spokesperson confirmed to multiple outlets including ESPN and The Tuscaloosa News.
The suspension was announced just before kickoff, as Kirkpatrick was added to Alabama’s final SEC availability report as “out” roughly 90 minutes before the Crimson Tide’s 2:30 p.m. CT matchup with the Aggies on ABC. The length of the suspension has not been disclosed publicly.
Kirkpatrick’s absence is not injury-related. He did not appear on any of Alabama’s availability reports on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday before being suddenly ruled out on Saturday. This marks the second consecutive season in which the junior has been suspended by the program.
Kirkpatrick was suspended indefinitely in November 2025 following an arrest on three counts of reckless endangerment and one count of attempting to elude and speeding. He missed the final seven games of last season, including the SEC Championship and College Football Playoff, before returning for spring practice.
In seven games this season, Kirkpatrick has recorded five tackles, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble while operating primarily as a rotational player at the “Husky” nickel position behind starter Red Morgan. He has played 59 defensive snaps and was named Alabama’s special teams player of the week after a punt coverage tackle against South Carolina in late September.
His absence leaves Alabama further shorthanded in the secondary, as starting cornerback Zabien Brown is also out against Texas A&M with a lower-leg injury. Sophomore Chuck McDonald is the most likely candidate to absorb Kirkpatrick’s snaps at the Husky spot, though he could also be needed at cornerback depending on the depth chart.
Alabama entered Saturday’s game against Texas A&M with ten players ruled out, including Brown, running back EJ Crowell, and offensive lineman Racin Delgatty. The Crimson Tide (5-2, 3-2 SEC) were looking to snap a two-game losing streak against the Aggies.
Kirkpatrick, the son of former Alabama All-American and NFL cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick Sr., is in his third season with the Crimson Tide. He was a three-star recruit out of Gadsden City High School.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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