TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama worked outside Monday as it held its first game-week practice in preparation for Saturday’s matchup against LSU. Players were in shorts and shells and worked under cloudy 59-degree weather. Here are some notes from the media viewing period.
— Tua Tagovailoa was present during the viewing period for the first time since undergoing tightrope surgery on his right ankle on Oct. 20. He was wearing a sleeve on his right leg.
— Tagovailoa looked like his normal self during the viewing period. He was moving around without hesitation and had the same velocity on his throws.
“If he can play in the game, it’ll be a game-time decision,” head coach Nick Saban said during his Monday news conference earlier in the day. “He did practice two days last week. We’ll see where he’s at today and then we’ll manage the reps accordingly. When I say that, we cannot predict . If he goes out there today and he looks good, then his rep count is going to go up and we’ll prepare him as if he’s going to have an opportunity to play in the game. If he has a setback during the week, you can’t really control that, but that would change the plan.
“The way we practice on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, both quarterbacks are going to get pretty much the same reps, and that’s probably how we’ll manage it this week in terms of their preparation.”
— Najee Harris (ankle) was a full participant during drills with the running backs. Earlier in the day, Saban described him as “fine.” Brian Robinson Jr. led the running backs followed by Keilan Robinson then Harris and Jerome Ford. Although, that order doesn’t tend to mean much.
— Ale Kaho (hand) in no longer in a black jersey and is wearing a regular cast instead of a club. He was a full participant during drills with the rest of the inside linebackers.
— Terrell Lewis and Anfernee Jennings are typically a bit limited earlier in the week, but they seemed to be participating early on in the period.
— Will Reichard (hip) was working on drops with the punters, but the unit did not partake in any kicks during the period. Saban called Reichard “questionable” for Saturday’s game.
— Tua Tagovailoa was present during the viewing period for the first time since undergoing tightrope surgery on his right ankle on Oct. 20. He was wearing a sleeve on his right leg.
— Tagovailoa looked like his normal self during the viewing period. He was moving around without hesitation and had the same velocity on his throws.
“If he can play in the game, it’ll be a game-time decision,” head coach Nick Saban said during his Monday news conference earlier in the day. “He did practice two days last week. We’ll see where he’s at today and then we’ll manage the reps accordingly. When I say that, we cannot predict . If he goes out there today and he looks good, then his rep count is going to go up and we’ll prepare him as if he’s going to have an opportunity to play in the game. If he has a setback during the week, you can’t really control that, but that would change the plan.
“The way we practice on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, both quarterbacks are going to get pretty much the same reps, and that’s probably how we’ll manage it this week in terms of their preparation.”
— Najee Harris (ankle) was a full participant during drills with the running backs. Earlier in the day, Saban described him as “fine.” Brian Robinson Jr. led the running backs followed by Keilan Robinson then Harris and Jerome Ford. Although, that order doesn’t tend to mean much.
— Ale Kaho (hand) in no longer in a black jersey and is wearing a regular cast instead of a club. He was a full participant during drills with the rest of the inside linebackers.
— Terrell Lewis and Anfernee Jennings are typically a bit limited earlier in the week, but they seemed to be participating early on in the period.
— Will Reichard (hip) was working on drops with the punters, but the unit did not partake in any kicks during the period. Saban called Reichard “questionable” for Saturday’s game.
