Alabama will be without DE LaBryan Ray for a significant portion of the 2019 season, but it might not be as long as some feared.

On Wednesday, Nick Saban said that Ray will be out at least six weeks. He went on to clarify that doesn’t guarantee a return in six weeks.

“I’m not saying he’s going to be back playing in six weeks,” Saban said at his post-practice press conference. “I’m just saying I know it will be six weeks before he can even start back to doing things. So we’ll just have to see how he responds.”

On Sunday night, AL.com’s Matt Zenitz reported that Ray’s foot/ankle injury was feared to be potentially season-ending. The preseason All-SEC defensive end tweeted after his Wednesday surgery that he will return even stronger.

Six weeks from today would be Oct. 30. Alabama does not play that following Saturday (Nov. 2), it’s annual off week before the LSU game. Ray’s six-week absence will definitely sideline him for the Southern Miss, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Tennessee and Arkansas games.