Injury update: Alabama appears to have only had a big-time scare with Cooper
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Alabama football team appeared to emerge from Saturday’s game at Arkansas with physically nothing more than a scare, but it was a big one.
After needing to be attended to by the Crimson Tide medical staff, junior wide receiver Amari Copper played the entire second half while wearing a support on his right knee.
Specifically, Cooper went down late in the second quarter on his first reception of the game, for 12 yards, when safety Rohan Gaines came in to make the hit. After landing, Cooper reached immediately for his right leg while Arkansas linebacker Martell Spaight also needed help, but returned to lead the Razorbacks with 10 tackles.
Cooper had his knee wrapped on the sideline and headed to the locker room a little early before halftime. He only had one more reception and finished with two catches for 22 yards.
“He’s doing all right,” senior wide receiver DeAndrew White said after making it through his first full game of the season.
White confirmed that his injury sustained during the season opener against West Virginia was a separated shoulder. He led the Crimson Tide with four receptions for 33 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown reception, his first of the season.
“My shoulder is getting better each day,” White said.
Senior tight end Brian Vogler had his foot in a boot after the game due to possibly re-aggravating his high ankle sprain during the final minutes. It was when he re-entered the game after a time out that Alabama was flagged for a substitution infraction.
As for the players hurt last week at Ole Miss redshirt freshman Bradley Bozeman played the entire game at center for Ryan Kelly (sprained knee), and junior Dillon Lee made his first career start. With Denzel Devall sideline with an ankle injury, Xzavier Dickson started at Jack – the hybrid linebacker/defensive end position — and Lee was at strongside safety.
“Bozeman did a good job,” senior quarterback Blake Sims said. “He kept his composure. He didn’t let the clock eat him up or nothing.”