Nick Saban announced Monday night that three Alabama players – sophomore LG Deonte Brown,  redshirt junior OL Elliot Baker (listed as Elliott Baker in the announcement) and sophomore TE Kedrick James – have been suspended for the Orange Bowl after violating team rules. The three Crimson Tide players did not make the trip to Miami, per Saban’s official statement (below, via Marq Burnett).

The headlining name of the trio is Brown, the team’s starter at left guard. BamaOnLine’s Charlie Potter writes that Lester Cotton is likely to start at left guard in Brown’s absence. James and Baker are both reserves at their positions. James has made five appearances in 2018 while Baker has not played. The specific violation of team rules has not yet been announced or reported.

Saban’s statement came shortly following a report by Pete Thamel of Yahoo! Sports.

Alabama arrived in South Florida Monday, practicing at Barry University ahead of Saturday’s Orange Bowl showdown with No. 4 Oklahoma at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

Saturday Down South will continue to follow this developing story.