TUSCALOOSA, Ala., — Alabama worked outside Wednesday as it held its third practice in preparation for Saturday’s game against Mississippi State. Players were dressed in full pads and worked under sunny, 48-degree weather. Here are some notes from the media viewing period.
— For a second straight day, Tua Tagovailoa (ankle) was dressed in full pads while wearing running shoes. Wednesday, the left-hander was able to do a little bit more as he threw a few passes early in the viewing period. Although, for the most part, Tagovailoa was still limited in front of the media.
“He’s got soreness in his ankle from playing in the game,” head coach Nick Saban said earlier in the day during the SEC teleconference. “Just like a lot of players this time of year, you’ve got to manage the practice. You’ve got to manage the reps. Just like last week, it’ll probably be a game-time decision as to whether he can or can’t play. I don’t even know for sure if he’ll be able to practice fully today. We expect him to be able to do some things, but we’ll just have to wait and see. It’s just kind of day-to-day.”
— Trevon Diggs still has a brace on his left leg but seemed to be moving fine during positional drills with the defensive backs.
— Anfernee Jennings has a big brace on his left leg but was able to participate in drills with the outside linebackers.
— D.J. Dale, who had been limited earlier in the week, was participating with the defensive linemen.
— Defensive line coach Brian Baker was as fired up as I’ve ever seen him and really got into freshman Byron Young for failing to do a drill the right way.
— Landon Dickerson was the first-team center followed by Chris Owens and Darrian Dalcourt.
— Ale Kaho appeared to have a split on his left hand instead of full cast. He was participating with the rest of the inside linebackers during drills.
— Injured defensive lineman LaByran Ray (foot) was seen entering the weight room before the workout. Earlier this week, Saban said the junior is not expected to return any time soon.
“He still hasn’t been cleared medically to even start practicing yet,” Saban said. “He is in a rehab mode to see when he can get maybe in a condition to come back and be able to play. But we don’t — we’re waiting on the medical staff for him to say it’s OK for him to do that.”
— For a second straight day, Tua Tagovailoa (ankle) was dressed in full pads while wearing running shoes. Wednesday, the left-hander was able to do a little bit more as he threw a few passes early in the viewing period. Although, for the most part, Tagovailoa was still limited in front of the media.
“He’s got soreness in his ankle from playing in the game,” head coach Nick Saban said earlier in the day during the SEC teleconference. “Just like a lot of players this time of year, you’ve got to manage the practice. You’ve got to manage the reps. Just like last week, it’ll probably be a game-time decision as to whether he can or can’t play. I don’t even know for sure if he’ll be able to practice fully today. We expect him to be able to do some things, but we’ll just have to wait and see. It’s just kind of day-to-day.”
— Trevon Diggs still has a brace on his left leg but seemed to be moving fine during positional drills with the defensive backs.
— Anfernee Jennings has a big brace on his left leg but was able to participate in drills with the outside linebackers.
— D.J. Dale, who had been limited earlier in the week, was participating with the defensive linemen.
— Defensive line coach Brian Baker was as fired up as I’ve ever seen him and really got into freshman Byron Young for failing to do a drill the right way.
— Landon Dickerson was the first-team center followed by Chris Owens and Darrian Dalcourt.
— Ale Kaho appeared to have a split on his left hand instead of full cast. He was participating with the rest of the inside linebackers during drills.
— Injured defensive lineman LaByran Ray (foot) was seen entering the weight room before the workout. Earlier this week, Saban said the junior is not expected to return any time soon.
“He still hasn’t been cleared medically to even start practicing yet,” Saban said. “He is in a rehab mode to see when he can get maybe in a condition to come back and be able to play. But we don’t — we’re waiting on the medical staff for him to say it’s OK for him to do that.”
