Alabama’s best pass-catching running back will return for his senior season.

The last time we saw him on a football field, Kenyan Drake suffered a broken leg against Ole Miss, a gruesome injury that ended his year.

On Tuesday in New Orleans, Drake told reporters he expects to be healthy enough to participate in spring practice in some capacity.

The 6-foot-1, 202-pound junior has averaged 7.0 yards per carry in three seasons, but he’s perhaps most dangerous in the open field as a receiver. He caught 12 passes for 135 yards in 2013 and appeared poised to top those figures this year, scoring on 39- and 87-yard receiving touchdowns before his season ended during the fifth game.

With offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin set to return to Tuscaloosa for another season and T.J. Yeldon almost certainly headed for the NFL, it’s likely the Crimson Tide will continue to use Drake’s unique skill set in the passing game.

“It’s been pretty cool, (Kiffin) being at USC and him coaching my favorite running back, which was Reggie Bush growing up, is pretty awesome,” Drake said. “To see him use me in that way, before I got hurt, was pretty cool, too. I look forward about what’s coming in the future.”

Meanwhile, Drake seems proud of the way he’s been able to rehab his leg. He’s come a long way from toting a box of Oatmeal Creme Pies (a Nick Saban favorite) in his injury scooter during the Texas A&M game in mid-October.

“I’m feeling pretty great. I’ve been jogging around and working out while the team has been practicing. A couple other teammates have been injured so we’ve been doing our workouts together,” Drake told reporters Tuesday.

“I knew it was going to be a challenge. I’ve never been hurt to this extent before. Once I knew the extent of the injury, I knew it was going to be a challenge to get back. I’ve been head down and focused on what I need to do to get back.”

Drake should compete with Derrick Henry, Tyren Jones and others for playing time in 2015.