The opportunities for Jam Miller and Justice Haynes to run have not been abundant for much of this season so far.

Alabama football has not turned to its primary running backs on all that much of a regular basis on the ground.

Miller has only has double-digit carries twice this season: Against South Florida (15) and South Carolina (12). Haynes has only received double-digit carries once: Against South Florida (13) as well. Miller is averaging 8.5 carries per game while Haynes is averaging 6.5. That’s 15 carries per game between Miller and Haynes.

“That number, I think we would love to see that be higher,” DeBoer said.

So why isn’t it? Quarterback Jalen Milroe has gotten his fair share of carries. He’s averaging 11.67 rushing attempts per game.

“Which how can you argue with some of that when you’re rattling off some of the runs that he’s had,“ DeBoer said. ”There’s that fine line of using him and keeping him fresh and using these other guys.”

DeBoer expected the running game to take the next step in the Vanderbilt game, but Alabama was playing from behind from the first offensive drive.

“Because of the flow of the game, again, probably not as many carries and touches, but you could see there was an intentionality to what we were doing,” DeBoer said.

DeBoer said in addition to using the two running backs on the ground, it’s also about finding other ways to use them, such as in the passing game.

“They’re very critical to our offense,” DeBoer said. “They’re extremely athletic. They can do it all. They’re every down backs in their own right. And we need to continue to grow and I think we took another step this week.”

Next up, No. 7 Alabama faces No. 11 Tennessee on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, ABC) at Neyland Stadium.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.