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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. _ Although the only University of Alabama player who has been ruled out for the season is freshman defensive lineman O.J. Smith, who arrived with a shoulder injury and will go ahead and have surgery, the Crimson Tide has experienced a number of bumps and bruises so far during camp.
No one was in a black no-contact jersey Monday morning as the Crimson Tide opened its third two-a-day of camp, with the last scheduled for Wednesday, but some players were notably absent following the first scrimmage of fall.
Here’s a cheat sheet on everyone’s status as Alabama began to gear up for its second and final scrimmage, set for Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium, after which the coaches will give players a couple of days off to rest and recover.
Senior offensive lineman Leon Brown (foot): Practiced for the first time Monday to begin his re-acclimation period.
Senior linebacker Trey DePriest (knee): DePriest is still wearing a knee brace at practice and coaches appear more concerned about having him ready for the Aug. 30 season opener than the second week of training camp. He sustained the injury approximately 10 days ago when players were still practicing in shorts and helmets.
Junior linebacker Denzel Devall (undisclosed): Devall has been limited the past few days and on Monday wore a support that can indicate a calf or hamstring injury. He has not worn a black no-contact jersey during the practice periods when reporters are allowed to watch.
Sophomore tight end Kurt Freitag (turf toe): Was not at practice Monday morning. Saban indicated that his injury was the most significant from the first scrimmage.
Junior offensive lineman Dominick Jackson (ankle): Did not practice Monday morning and is expected to be out a week or two. Sophomore Alphonse Taylor has been working with the first unit so far, but Brown was the starter in the spring.
Sophomore cornerback Eddie Jackson (knee): Jackson has been participating in practices, but coaches held him out of the first scrimmage after having surgery just four months ago. “I don’t think that’s a position that you can play if you’re not 100 percent,” Coach Nick Saban said after last Saturday’s first scrimmage. “He’s certainly making great progress. Can do everything in practice, but I don’t think he’s ready to go out there and scrimmage football yet.”
Senior nose guard Brandon Ivory and junior defensive end Jarran Reed (suspended): Both were finishing up their re-acclimation process Monday morning after missing the first week of camp. Both should be available for Saturday’s scrimmage.
Sophomore defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson (knee): Robinson hasn’t practiced since sustaining a sprain last Tuesday. He’s not expected to be out long.
Junior defensive back Geno Smith (knee): Smith sustained a sprained knee during the first scrimmage and is expected to be out a few days.
Sophomore defensive lineman Davlin Tomlinson (toe): After getting stepped on during Friday night’s practice he was held out of the scrimmage. Tomlinson was back running drills Monday morning.
Sophomore linebacker Tim Williams (suspended): There’s been no change in his status, he has yet to practice.
Christopher Walsh has covered Alabama football since 2004 and is the author of 19 books. In his free time, he writes about college football.
