In the rout over Western Carolina, Alabama missed WR Henry Ruggs, DL Raekwon Davis, DL Phidarian Mathis and DL D.J. Dale. But the Crimson Tide have seen most of those players return this week.

Dale, a freshman who suffered a knee injury against Mississippi State Nov. 16, has been limited during the media viewing portions of practice this week, AL.com reported. Coach Nick Saban said Dale is “probably still a little bit questionable in terms of what he can and can’t do.” The others have returned to practice this week, and are expected to play at Auburn.

Alabama understands this game is especially important if the Crimson Tide are to have any chance at qualifying for the College Football Playoff.

“Maybe as it should be, a lot comes down to this game,” Saban said Monday. “It’s kind of a season within a season, so to speak. I think if you have to explain that to your team, or your players, they don’t really know what’s going on in football.”

Of course, the Playoff motivation should be needed in such a heated rivalry as the Iron Bowl. But Alabama is the only team to make the first five playoffs in college football. That string is in jeopardy, as it was in the 2011 season after a loss to LSU relegated the Tide to SEC West runner-up.