Jarin Stevenson injury update: Alabama forward leaves floor for locker room vs. Robert Morris

Alabama sophomore power forward Jarin Stevenson was helped to the locker room after suffering a left wrist injury early. It took place in the first half of the Crimson Tide’s first-round NCAA Tournament game against 15-seeded Robert Morris, the Horizon League champion.

Stevenson was writhing in pain after coming down hard on a failed baseline dunk attempt. He collided with Colonials wing Amarion Dickerson at the rim with second-seeded Alabama leading 19-11 with 11 minutes remaining in the first half Friday. No foul was called on the play. The 6-foot-8 Stevenson was walked to the Alabama locker room inside the Rocket Arena from Cleveland.

Stevenson would return to the game with 5:01 remaining in the opening half, though with his left wrist heavily wrapped. Stevenson finished the first half scoreless on 0-of-3 shooting, including 0-of-2 from 3-point range in 10 minutes.

The return of Stevenson was a welcomed sight for the Crimson Tide, which entered Friday uncertain about the status of ailing senior power forward Grant Nelson. Nelson was cleared to play, but began the game on the bench and hasn’t seen the floor in the first half as Alabama led 40-36 at the break.

Alabama NIL collective reveals Grant Nelson’s status for Robert Morris game

Alabama’s Grant Nelson had been questionable, if not doubtful, coming into its opening game of the NCAA Tournament. However, he will be ready to go, come tipoff this afternoon for the Crimson Tide.

Per ‘Yea Alabama’, Nelson is available for No. 2 Alabama on Friday against No. 15 Robert Morris. That’s after, again, he’d been day-to-day and a game-time decision today per that collective yesterday. That said, per Jon Rothstein at CBS, the Tide decided to not start him after watching him go through warmups in Cleveland.

“We’re going to see how he feels after warmups,” Oats said per Rothstein. Oats’ comments came shortly after the collective broke the news.

Nelson left in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament last weekend with an injury to his left knee. He would not return, with the team’s hope earlier this week being he’d be back at worst on Sunday as he’d be questionable for Friday. ‘Bama got the best-case scenario, though, with him good to go as early as today.

Even without Nelson, Alabama was, and still is, a significant favorite today over Robert Morris. This was just more about the team’s long-term outlook in the Round of 32 and beyond in the NCAA Tournament, depending on when Nelson would be able to take the court again.

–On3’s Sam Gillenwater contributed to this report.