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Nick Saban provides latest injury update on RB Jase McClellan

47377776_10156854436900775_2208546246019252224_nby: Clint Lamb10/04/21ClintRLamb

Alabama has seen the number of healthy running backs on its roster dwindle since the start of the season. This realization follows a Jase McClellan injury update from coach Nick Saban on Monday.

In that update, Saban made the media aware that McClellan had a knee injury that would finish his 2021 season prematurely.

“Jase has got a knee,” Saban told reporters. “He’ll be out for the year. He’s going to have surgery tomorrow. So, he’s out.”

It’s an unfortunate update for the sophomore runner. So far, McClellan had totaled 288 yards (191 rushing, 97 receiving) and four touchdowns in a little over four games.

Not only was he providing a solid rushing option behind Brian Robinson, but McClellan was also proving to be an exceptional receiving back, especially at or near the goal line where he had scored three times.

McClellan is now the second Alabama running back to suffer a knee injury. Granted, the one with Camar Wheaton isn’t nearly as significant. Saban also gave an update on the freshman four-star on Monday.

“He hasn’t practiced, he had a meniscus or whatever,” Saban said. “So, he’s kind of week-to-week, but he hasn’t been cleared medically to practice at this point.”

Combine those losses with Trey Sanders still trying to get his barrings back following his own injury issues in 2019 and 2020, and Alabama is left relatively thin at the position.

Granted, Sanders is still playing, so he isn’t technically out. In fact, his usage will probably have to increase significantly with McClellan and Wheaton out for the foreseeable future.

Saban also said the position would be evaluated with only three healthy scholarship running backs right now. In fact, there might be a player moved from another position to help add depth.

“Yeah, we’ll probably look at some of that, see how it works out,” Saban said. “If some guy has experience playing that position, we’ll see how they might be able to develop and be an emergency guy.”

Unfortunately, Saban didn’t reveal who those candidates might be, but he did say there were several the staff had in mind.

Also, there isn’t a reason to panic yet. The coaching staff has plenty of confidence in fellow sophomore Roydell Williams, who has been asked to step up in recent weeks.

“I don’t think there’s any question, we have a lot of confidence in Roydell,” Saban told reporters. “He’s played well when he’s had the opportunity to play. He’s gotten some extensive playing time in the game B-Rob missed, Southern Miss. So, we’re very confident in him.”

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