Alabama football: Jahleel Billingsley back, Xavier Williams update

Alabama football coach Nick Saban revealed Wednesday that tight end Jahleel Billingsley returned to practice after missing the first session due to an undisclosed reason. Saban said Billingsley was in COVID protocols and has now met all requirements to rejoin the team.

The Alabama coach also offered an update on Xavier Williams after it was announced Tuesday the receiver was no longer on the roster. He will miss the entire 2021 season due to an undisclosed injury.

Billingsley finished with 18 catches for 287 yards and three touchdowns this past season. The tight end is the Tide’s second-leading returning pass-catcher behind John Metchie and figures to play a key role in 2021. Saban, as he is keen to do, was tight-lipped about Billingsley’s status.

“Jahleel is back at practice,” he said. “We had some COVID protocols that we had to go through with him. He’s back at practice and needs to work his way up the depth chart.”

He was even more brief addressing Williams, carefully choosing his words so as not to reveal the nature of the injury.

“Ziggy also has some medical issues that’s keeping him out,” Saban said. “He’s not going to play this year.”

Alabama is coming off of a national championship victory — its third since 2015. The Tide loses top targets DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle to the NFL; so Billingsley’s availability is crucial to their season. At 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, he could be a primary red-zone target for first-year quarterback Bryce Young.

The loss of Williams is less impactful, as he finished with just three catches a year ago. He redshirted in 2018 and had a similarly limited role in 2019. Alabama added Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams to its receiving corps this offseason and Slade Bolden looks primed to fill the No. 3 spot.

The Crimson Tide open their season with a marquee matchup against Miami (FL) on Sept. 4. Alabama football fans will hope Jahleel Billingsley is back to speed by the time that game comes. Given that he missed only a few sessions, he should be ready to go in no time.

Photo courtesy of Alika Jenner/Getty Images.