Alabama is back on the practice field. A few notable players will miss most of the spring session, Nick Saban shared in his Friday press conference.

“Malachi Moore, Phil Mathis, John Metchie, Pierce Quick and Emil (Ekiyor), they’re not really expected to participate a whole lot in spring practice from previous injuries that they had, things that needed to be fixed probably from the season,” Saban told reporters. “In some cases, the guys couldn’t finish the season, so we want to focus on getting these guys well.

He hopes to see some players take advantage of the opportunity to step in for their injured teammates.

“A lot of these guys have played a lot of good football around here, and they really don’t have anything to prove here in the spring, so better for us if we can give more reps to somebody else and let them develop.”

Running back Trey Sanders missed the second half of the 2020 season after being injured in a car crash during Alabama’s bye week. Saban shared a positive update on Sanders.

“Trey Sanders is actually doing some work,” Saban said. “He does some individual work. He’s making really good progress. He can dry-land run now. He’s not 100 percent but he’s getting there, and we’re very happy with the progress. He’s had a tough road to hoe and he’s had a great attitude about it and he’s worked hard. We’re really pleased.”

A former 5-star recruit, Sanders missed his true freshman season after injuring his foot in fall camp. He played in four games in 2020, his redshirt freshman season.

[H/T Bama OnLine]