Nick Saban provides midweek update on injured Alabama defenders
Alabama head coach Nick Saban provided the latest on injured Crimson Tide defensive backs Jaylen Key and Malachi Moore on Wednesday during the SEC coaches teleconference.
“They’re able to practice,” Saban said. “Just how much they’re able to practice and how close to 100 percent they can get by game time will be the big question that we’ll have to answer. That probably is not something we can comment until we get to that point.”
Shortly after intercepting a pass that led to Alabama’s fourth touchdown of the game, Key left the field gingerly after covering the ensuing kickoff. Once Tide trainers attended to the starting free safety, he walked to the locker room just before halftime and did not return.
Alabama’s lead ballooned to 35-0, and during an Alabama punt return, Moore was slow to get up and visited the sideline medical tent. He eventually left the field and did not return.
When Key left the game, he was replaced at in the back end of the defense by Kristian Story. When Moore went down with his injury, Trey Amos came off the Crimson Tide sideline to play cornerback, while Terrion Arnold – who started at cornerback – moved to Star.
Another Alabama defender who did not play in the opener was linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who underwent a knee scope before the first game. Campbell went through pregame warmups but was in street clothes for the game itself. Deontae Lawson and Trezmen Marshall started at the middle linebacker spots, while Kendrick Blackshire also played.
Saban first shared Campbell’s injury during his first radio show of the season but sounded hopeful Campbell would play this week. He had the same belief when speaking to reporters on Wednesday’s teleconference, a few hours before the Tide hit the practice field.
“He’s been able to practice, and he’s doing fairly well,” Saban said. “We’re encouraged by the progress that he’s made, and he should be OK to play in the game, providing there’s not a setback between now and then.”
Alabama will hold its third practice of Texas week later this afternoon at 3:40 p.m. CT. The Tide will play host to the No. 11 Texas Longhorns on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. on ESPN.
Not a member, Alabama fans? Join BOL today!
Have you subscribed to BamaOnLine.com yet? You can sign up now for a year’s worth of premium access for $74.99! Or you can also gain monthly access for just $1! Get access to premium articles and nuggets covering Alabama sports and recruiting content and also join thousands of Crimson Tide fans on the BOL Round Table message board! CLICK HERE!
