Saban provides brief injury update after Alabama's first preseason practice
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama head coach Nick Saban provided a brief injury report after the Crimson Tide exited the field following its first preseason practice on Thursday afternoon.
“From a personnel standpoint, Thaiu Jones-Bell had some medical issues, so he’s gonna medical (redshirt) this year,” Saban said. “And I think everybody worked today except Jamarion Miller, who will be out for a couple days. He’s got a strained quad.”
Jones-Bell went through spring practice but was removed from Alabama’s online roster prior to the start of fall camp. A native of Hallandale, Fla., Jones-Bell appeared in 12 games over the last three years, serving as a reserve wide receiver and contributor on special teams. He caught four passes for 19 yards, with a long gain of eight yards, during his Crimson Tide career.
Miller played in every game during the 2022 season as an active special teams contributor and a backup at running back. He finished fifth on last year’s team in rushing with 223 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries, but he paced the Crimson Tide backfield in yards per carry (6.76). In the spring, he capped the A-Day Game with 23 rushing yards on eight carries (2.9 ypc).
Miller is one of five scholarship running backs on Alabama’s roster, and that was a position unit that Saban was asked about following Thursday’s practice – and continues to highly praise.
“I actually think there’s four guys in the running back room that have really done a good job,” Saban said. “Jase (McClellan) has been a really good leader. Roydell (Williams) has always set a really good example. He’s a good special teams players, as well as a good runner. Loves to play on teams, loves to do whatever he can to help the team. Jase has really stepped up and set a good example. And the two young players, Justice (Haynes) and Jam, have done really, really well, too.
“Of course, we have a new addition, the new freshman (Richard Young), but he’s probably a little bit behind the other guys just from a learning standpoint. But I like all those guys. I think they all have great attitude, and I think that’s one of the strongest positions from a depth standpoint on our team.”
The Tide will return to the practice field on Friday, Aug. 4, for its second preseason practice.
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