Nick Saban reveals Thaiu Jones-Bell will medically redshirt, provides update on Jamarion Miller

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Alabama opened up fall camp on Thursday and for the most part, Nick Saban has his team fully healthy. There were just two players he mentioned during his press conference when discussing injury, both coming on the offensive end.

Earlier in the day, Thaiu Jones-Bell was taken off the online Alabama roster with questions arising. Saban confirmed there is an injury involved with the wide receiver, saying he will miss the entire regular season with a medical redshirt.

Outside of Jones-Bell, running back Jamarion Miller was the only other one who did not practice on Thursday.

“Thaiu Jones-Bell had some medical issues,” Saban said. “He’s going to medical (redshirt) this year. And I think everybody worked today except Jamarion Miller. He will be out for a couple of days. He has a strained quad.”

Jones-Bell arrived on campus prior to the 2020 season, playing in just 12 games over the period. He has recorded four receptions for 19 limits, having a limited role offensively. However, special teams is a place where Jones-Bell has been able to get on the field for Alabama.

No specific injury for Jones-Bell was disclosed by Saban. A medical redshirt will give the wide receiver time to fully recover and hopefully be back ahead of the 2024 season.

Alabama RB Jamarion Miller dealing with quad issue

For the rest of the 2023 roster, just one injury is hampering Alabama one day into fall practice. Miller has a strained quad, keeping him out for a few days. Thankfully for Saban, the running back room is a loaded one and if they need to, the Crimson Tide can slowplay Miller’s return.

In 10 games last year, Miller carried the ball 33 times for 223 yards and two touchdowns. The true freshman out of Tyler (TX) Legacy was able to play during mop-up duty. He now enters his sophomore season with higher expectations and the potential to fight for playing time.

Fellow Texan Jase McClellan is expected to be the main back for Alabama. He flashed at times alongside now-Detroit Lion Jahmyr Gibbs. If Saban is going to have offensive coordinator Tommy Rees going back to running the ball consistently, McClellan is going to be key.

But from there, opportunities will arise. Miller will certainly want to take advantage and try to get touches of his own. For now, though, working on the quad and getting back to 100% will be his main task.