After holding T.J. Yeldon out of practices last week, University of Alabama coach Nick Saban is hoping that the junior running back will be a little more explosive against Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl.

“He’s practiced the last two days and we’ll continue to work him,” Saban said. “Hopefully he’ll continue to progress with the significant time off and make a contribution in the game.”

Yeldon has been dealing with hamstring and ankle issues since essentially the midway point of the season in October.

After struggling to get 68 rushing yards on 15 carries at LSU, and 72 yards on 16 attempts against Mississippi State, coaches held him out of the Western Carolina game. He responded with 127 yards on 19 carries and two rushing touchdowns against Auburn.

Coaches went with Derrick Henry more in the second half against Missouri in the SEC Championship Game. Yeldon finished with 14 carries for 47 yards while Henry had 20 attempts for 141 yards. Both running backs scored two rushing touchdowns.

With Alabama having last played Dec. 6, Yeldon’s essentially had three weeks of rest. Should the Crimson Tide win the national playoff semifinal on Jan. 1 (8:30 ET p.m., ESPN), it won’t play again until Jan 12.

Yeldon leads Alabama with 184 carries for 932 yards and needs 291 more to break Shaun Alexander’s school career record of 3,565.

Alabama all-time rushing leaders
1. Shaun Alexander, 3,565 yards
2. Bobby Humphrey 3,420
3. Kenneth Darby 3,324
4. T.J. Yeldon 3,275
5. Mark Ingram 3,261