Alabama football’s starting right guard, Jaeden Roberts, didn’t see the field against Mercer on Saturday. However, according to Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer, his absence was largely precautionary.

Roberts was wearing his uniform and on the sideline, but did not see the field, with Geno VanDeMark taking his first-team reps.

“We played Geno a lot at right guard, just give Jaeden (a rest),” DeBoer said after the game. “Jaeden could have been out there for us, but good to get Geno out there.”

Roberts went down with an injury against LSU and did not return. However, his presence at right guard hasn’t been needed in the past two games, as the Crimson Tide blew out the Tigers 42-13, before taking down Mercer 52-7 Saturday.

The Mercer game served as an opportunity for DeBoer and company to get a look at their depth pieces before SEC play continues next week at Oklahoma. The Tide played five quarterbacks throughout the game, with 13 receivers making a catch and 11 players carrying the ball.

DeBoer praised the offensive line in particular after the game.

“We gotta continue to build that depth,” DeBoer said. “I just think they’ve been more in sync. You don’t really see any busts, that’s been going on for weeks now. You don’t see buts, they’ve been really consistent. The execution has been good and they’re just trying to make the execution better and better and better each and every week.”

Alabama travels to Oklahoma next Saturday. The Crimson Tide will, as mandated by the SEC, release daily availability reports starting Wednesday.