Midweek injury updates on Deontae Lawson, Jaylen Key, Jermaine Burton
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – One of the Alabama players who missed the Kentucky game will be back for the Crimson Tide’s next game, while two others remain questionable for the home finale.
After Wednesday’s practice, head coach Nick Saban was asked about the health of linebacker Deontae Lawson (ankle), safety Jaylen Key (quad) and receiver Jermaine Burton (illness).
“Jermaine Burton is fine. He’s practiced,” Saban said. “Jaylen and Deontae are both moving around, running, rehabbing, getting close to being ready to practice and play.
“But I’d say it’s still pretty questionable as to whether they can make it for the game. If they can’t practice tomorrow, then most of the time, we don’t – if guys can’t practice on Thursday, we don’t think they’re healthy enough to play in the game, but we’ll see what comes of that tomorrow.”
Lawson and Key suffered injuries in Alabama’s win over LSU in Week 10 and were not able to practice leading up to the Kentucky game. The last two weeks, Jihaad Campbell and Trezmen Marshall filled in for Lawson, while Key’s free safety spot in the secondary has been manned by both Malachi Moore and Kristian Story in the Crimson Tide’s last two outings.
Burton and Ja’Corey Brooks (shoulder) both missed the Kentucky game, but Alabama’s other wideouts stepped up in their absence, as four different players were named players of the week after the 49-21 victory. Saban didn’t have an update on Brooks, but Burton is back.
“I was really pleased with the way the guys that filled in today and took their place,” Saban said after the Kentucky game. “And we had to shift guys around in the secondary, but I thought Trez Marshall, who has been hurt himself, did a good job today, and so did Jihaad.
“Those guys got some valuable experience, and that’s going to help us down the road, I think, having some diversity in how we can play players.”
Alabama will play host to Chattanooga on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 11 a.m. CT (SEC Network+).
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