Alabama hopeful to get injured defenders back before season ends
By Keith Farner
Published:
One of the most challenging aspects of Alabama’s season has been depth at linebacker, following a rash of injuries to four players, particularly early in the season. But good news may be on the way.
Sources have told Matt Zenitz of AL.com that barring a setback, Christian Miller is expected to be able to play against Auburn next week. What’s more, Terrell Lewis is targeted to return soon, most likely for the SEC Championship Game, presuming that the Crimson Tide makes it.
Earlier this week, coach Nick Saban said both players have started the “functional phase of rehab.”
On the College Football Playoff rankings show on Tuesday, ESPN analyst Booger McFarland said the health of the Alabama linebackers would play an important role in deciding the Iron Bowl.
Getting Miller back for that game should help with that. It would be a boost to the Alabama defense, which has struggled without these linebackers, especially last week at Mississippi State.
Mississippi State rushed for three touchdowns on Alabama, the first time that’s happened in the Nick Saban era, and the Bulldogs passed the 150-yard rushing mark. LSU also eclipsed that mark the previous week.
Since it lost Miller and Lewis during its season-opening win over Florida State, Alabama has gotten just one sack over the last nine games from its outside linebackers.
Lewis, who tore a ligament in his elbow, had five tackles against Florida State. Miller, who suffered a torn biceps, had three tackles.
Miller referenced a possible return on Twitter Thursday morning with clips of The Undertaker from the WWE. He followed that video post with another tweet explaining that he has yet to be cleared.
Glad you guys enjoyed the video. Just as coach said, haven’t been cleared yet just making progress.. And I enjoy making edits.
— Christian Miller (@christianmillr) November 16, 2017
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
