Nick Saban provides injury updates on Robinson, To'o To'o and Ray
So far, Alabama has had the fortune of avoiding any sort of major injuries outside of losing Christopher Allen to a season-ending foot injury. Still, the Crimson Tide have seen their fair share of guys get banged up.
During his weekly appearance on the SEC Football Coaches Teleconference, Alabama coach Nick Saban provided status updates on a few of those guys, including Henry To’o To’o, LaBryan Ray and Brian Robinson Jr.
First, Saban was asked about Ray, who has been dealing with a “significant groin injury” since before the regular season got started. So far, Saban seems to be pleased his the defensive lineman’s progress.
“He’s played in the last two games and played more in each one of those games,” Saban told reporters. “We’re very pleased with the progress that he’s making and the way that he’s playing, and I think the more he plays, the more productive he’ll be and I think the more confident he’ll get that he’s physically healthy, as well as making strides to getting back to be the kind of player that he’s always been for us.”
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That’s an encouraging update.
This past Saturday, Ray played 15 of a possible 59 snaps for the Crimson Tide’s defense. He still doesn’t look completely back, but he’s certainly showing signs of progress, like Saban mentioned.
Soon after being asked about Ray, Saban was asked about the status of Robinson, who missed the game against Southern Miss due to a rib injury. From Saban’s response, it sounds like Robinson is trending in the right direction to play against Ole Miss.
“B-Rob’s done great,” Saban said. “He looks good and he’s practiced well, so we’re encouraged that he’ll be able to play in the game on Saturday.”
From there, reporters asked about defensive signal-caller Henry To’o To’o. Against Florida two weeks ago, the Tennessee transfer didn’t have his best outing. But maybe there’s a reason for that, as Saban alluded to on Wednesday.
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“Henry’s played really, really well for us,” Saban said. “He’s smart. He’s a leader. He understands the scheme. I think he helps all the other players on defense play better because he’s a good communicator as the signal-caller, and I think he gives everybody a little more confidence that we’re all on the same page. And I think communication is the key there, and he’s a really good communicator.
“Some guys play, but they don’t wanna talk when they play. He can do that, and I think that really helps the other players on our team. But he, himself, has played really, really well. He was a little sick when we played down at Florida. He played anyway, but he has played extremely well for us.”
Imagine being in the hot, humid Florida weather down in Gainesville while not feeling 100 percent. Now imagine having to go against a physical, power rushing offense from the SEC.
His subpar performance is beginning to make a lot more sense.
