How Alabama’s Athletic Training Staff Helped Josh Cuevas Beat the Odds

Jeff Allen and Alabama’s Athletic Training staff may, in fact, be miracle workers. That’s about the only way to describe how quickly senior tight end Josh Cuevas returned to action after suffering what easily could have been a season-ending injury in November.

Cuevas was injured during practice in the lead-up to Alabama’s final home game of the regular season. The injury forced him to miss the Crimson Tide’s final two regular-season contests, along with the SEC Championship Game against Georgia.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his status, Cuevas made a remarkable return against Oklahoma in the opening round of the College Football Playoff.

While the program never publicly confirmed the severity of the injury, speculation swirled that Cuevas had broken his foot. The senior tight end later confirmed that was indeed the case, making his return in the same season even more impressive.

“I’m feeling great,” Cuevas told reporters after Alabama arrived in Los Angeles. “Shoutout to our training staff. They’re the best of the best. I legit broke my foot in the middle of the season and came back the same season. So that’s a tribute to them.”

There is no overstating the impact of Jeff Allen and his staff. Injuries are an unavoidable part of football, but recovery timelines and safe returns are where elite Athletic Training makes the difference. Allen and his team’s diligence, communication, and care allowed Cuevas to return when many believed his season was finished.

Cuevas immediately proved his value against Oklahoma, recording three catches for 35 yards. His 23-yard reception in the second quarter helped spark Alabama’s first touchdown after the Crimson Tide fell behind 17–0.

With additional time to recover before facing Indiana Hoosiers, Cuevas was closer to full strength for the postseason matchup. Even in defeat, his return stood as a testament to the behind-the-scenes work of Alabama’s Athletic Trainers—work that often goes unnoticed, but never unimportant. Read the full story here!