Alabama head coach Nick Saban provided an update on injured wideout JoJo Earle, who suffered a foot fracture in preseason camp after being in line to be the Crimson Tide’s starting punt returner.

“Hopefully, he’s gonna start doing some dry-land running this week,” Saban said on Monday. “But that’s a medical decision, so when he gets back, I don’t really know for sure. We hope it’s sometime soon.”

The sophomore from Texas could miss 6 to 8 weeks, according to Saban, who said that the former 4-star phenom could be back by October. Earle has been working with Jeremy Gsell, Alabama’s director of rehabilitation, in pushing to return as soon as possible.

Last season, Earle was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team by the conference’s coaches as a return specialist.

Earle was also hurt in 2021, suffering a leg injury against New Mexico State in mid-November that kept him out until the Cotton Bowl. Before that, he racked up 148 yards receiving on 12 catches and added 15 punt returns for 88 yards.