Emil Ekiyor injury update: Nick Saban shares latest on Alabama lineman

Emil Ekiyor, Alabama’s starting right guard, left Friday afternoon’s Cotton Bowl early with a shoulder injury and he never returned.

Freshman JC Latham stepped in and filled that spot as the Tide rolled to a 27-6 victory over No. 4 Cincinnati.

After the game, coach Nick Saban provided an update on Ekiyor’s status, saying it’s probably too early to tell if the talented lineman will be ready to go for the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Jan. 10 in Indianapolis:

Saban on Emil Ekiyor: "He's got a shoulder injury. We think he's got a chance to be able to come back and play in the game, but it's probably too early to know. It depends on how he responds."

— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) January 1, 2022

That’s an encouraging sign that Ekiyor hasn’t been ruled out yet. These next couple of days will be important in his recovery, it seems.

Meanwhile, the Tide are now awaiting their opponent for the title game, as Michigan and Georgia battle in the Orange Bowl.