TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama players escaped the rain Thursday, moving indoors for their third practice of the open week. Players were dressed in full pads for the workout. Here are some notes from the brief media-viewing period.
— After appearing limited on Tuesday and Wednesday, DeVonta Smith was taking part in light drills with the rest of the Alabama receivers. Smith still has a hamstring-support strip on his right leg. The sophomore receiver missed last week’s game against Tennessee but could return in time for next week’s trip to Baton Rouge, La., to take on No. 4 LSU.
— Tua Tagovailoa continues to be the only quarterback standing during warmups while the rest of the unit throws from one knee. Tagovailoa is still wearing a brace on his right knee but moved well when the quarterbacks went through drop-back drills.
— Jalen Hurts (ankle) is still out of practice as expected after having a minor medical procedure to fix a high-ankle sprain. The backup quarterback could return as early as next week, according to head coach Nick Saban.
— Jamey Mosley appeared to be limited for a third straight day as he watched the rest of the outside linebackers off to the side during drills. Saban has not addressed Mosley’s injury. However, the senior did miss time this offseason with a separated shoulder.
— Alabama’s offensive line worked in groups of three during the period. Jedrick Willas, Ross Pierschbacher and Jonah Williams made up the first group and were followed by Alex Leatherwood, Chris Owens and Lester Cotton. Joshua Casher, Emil Ekiyor and Deonte Brown worked in the third group. Last week, Brown replaced Cotton as the starting left guard.
“He did a nice job in the game. We all have things that we can improve on, but he played well,” Saban said of Brown during the SEC Teleconference on Wednesday. “He’s gotten an opportunity to play some this year, and I think he’s grown with that. Really proud of the fact that he’s overcome a lot to put himself in a position to be able to play and play effectively. We were pleased with the way he played.”
— Defensive back Shyheim Carter is no longer wearing a club during practice after breaking a bone in his hand earlier this season. Carter hasn’t been wearing the club during games but did have it on the past couple weeks of practice.
— After appearing limited on Tuesday and Wednesday, DeVonta Smith was taking part in light drills with the rest of the Alabama receivers. Smith still has a hamstring-support strip on his right leg. The sophomore receiver missed last week’s game against Tennessee but could return in time for next week’s trip to Baton Rouge, La., to take on No. 4 LSU.
— Tua Tagovailoa continues to be the only quarterback standing during warmups while the rest of the unit throws from one knee. Tagovailoa is still wearing a brace on his right knee but moved well when the quarterbacks went through drop-back drills.
— Jalen Hurts (ankle) is still out of practice as expected after having a minor medical procedure to fix a high-ankle sprain. The backup quarterback could return as early as next week, according to head coach Nick Saban.
— Jamey Mosley appeared to be limited for a third straight day as he watched the rest of the outside linebackers off to the side during drills. Saban has not addressed Mosley’s injury. However, the senior did miss time this offseason with a separated shoulder.
— Alabama’s offensive line worked in groups of three during the period. Jedrick Willas, Ross Pierschbacher and Jonah Williams made up the first group and were followed by Alex Leatherwood, Chris Owens and Lester Cotton. Joshua Casher, Emil Ekiyor and Deonte Brown worked in the third group. Last week, Brown replaced Cotton as the starting left guard.
“He did a nice job in the game. We all have things that we can improve on, but he played well,” Saban said of Brown during the SEC Teleconference on Wednesday. “He’s gotten an opportunity to play some this year, and I think he’s grown with that. Really proud of the fact that he’s overcome a lot to put himself in a position to be able to play and play effectively. We were pleased with the way he played.”
— Defensive back Shyheim Carter is no longer wearing a club during practice after breaking a bone in his hand earlier this season. Carter hasn’t been wearing the club during games but did have it on the past couple weeks of practice.
