Defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson absent from Alabama's practice
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. _ University of Alabama sophomore defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson was notably absent during the observation period for reporters during Wednesday’s morning practice.
Nick Saban, who makes all announcements regarding the status of players, isn’t scheduled to meet with reporters again until after Thursday’s afternoon practice — which will also mark the end of the first full week of training camp.
Without Robinson the defensive line worked without all three players who made up the first unit on A-Day as senior nose guard Brandon Ivory and junior end Jarran Reed are serving suspensions.
Robinson played in all 13 games and made two starts last season. He was credited with had 38 tackles, including eight for a loss and a team-high 5.5 sacks.
A preseason All-SEC selection, Robinson is on the watch list for the Bednarik, Bronko Nagurski, Outland, Rotary Lombardi and Ted Hendricks awards.
With Ivory out, Robinson had been working in his spot at nose guard between sophomores Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson.
“Dalvin has done really well,” Saban said after Tuesday’s practice, when he also stated that there appeared to be no significant injuries other than some bumps and bruises. “He would have been our third defensive end last year and played a lot. He’s improved even beyond that through spring practice and what he’s done so far in fall camp. We’re very pleased with Dalvin and where he is.
“If everybody on our team was like Dalvin, we wouldn’t have many problems, I can tell you that. You’re talking about a character guy there.”
Tomlinson redshirted in 2012 due to a knee injury sustained in high school, only to tear an ACL the first game of last season.
The Crimson Tide was in full pads as it opened its first two-a-day of training camp, and will practice again at 7:30 p.m. (CT).
— Saturday Down South will update this story today as necessary.