Texas A&M receiver Mario Craver cleared to play against Alabama
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Texas A&M wide receiver Mario Craver came off the SEC injury list and is available against Alabama.
Craver leads the Aggies with 24 catches, giving the offense its top target back.
Background
Mario Craver is a junior wide receiver for the Texas A&M Aggies, born in Birmingham, Alabama, and in his second season with the team; he leads the Aggies with 24 receptions for 241 yards and two touchdowns over six games and earned First Team Preseason All-SEC recognition. He had been listed as questionable for A&M's games since appearing to injure himself late in the first half of the loss at LSU, playing only 14 snaps against Arkansas and 30 against Missouri, and he sat out the 41-0 win over The Citadel. His status drew attention because the Aggies (4-3) were heading to Bryant-Denny Stadium to face Alabama while seeking their first road win of the season.
How it unfolded
- Sep 26, 2026The last date on which Craver recorded multiple catches in a game, per sources.
- Oct 10, 2026Craver plays 30 snaps in and out of the lineup against Missouri, unable to make a catch in the first half.
- Oct 17, 2026Texas A&M beats The Citadel 41-0 without five usual starters, including Craver, who has been banged up for weeks.
- Oct 21, 2026A&M's first availability report before Alabama lists Craver, DJ Hicks, Anto Saka, Daymion Sanford and Trovon Baugh as questionable.
- Oct 23, 2026Craver and DJ Hicks are listed as probable on the SEC availability report released Friday night, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.
- Oct 24, 2026Craver is not on the game day SEC injury list released about 90 minutes before kickoff and will be available against Alabama; Anto Saka is a game-time decision.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Craver and DJ Hicks were expected to be available after the Friday probable designation.
- Caution
- Reporter Carter Karels noted Anto Saka remains a game-time decision, which allows for the chance he plays but guarantees nothing.