TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The game ended the way he had hoped, but University of Alabama senior fullback Jaslton Fowler still felt it afterward.
When Auburn went for the onside kick up the middle at the end he aggravated the stinger initially sustained against Western Carolina.
“Me and Trey (DePriest) were arguing about the play like ‘Who’s gonna catch the ball?’ He said, ‘You just catch it, I got your back.’ When the guys hit me, I just caught a little stinger, that’s about it though.”
Fowler said on Tuesday that he’s “Feeling great,” but also knows what’s at stake during these last games in a Crimson Tide uniform. It’s going to take a lot more than some pain to get him off the field in the postseason.
Against Auburn he was the lead blocker on a lot of big carries, had three attempts himself for 11 yards, and of late has become more than just a short-yardage receiving threat with eight receptions for 102 yards.
“Yeah, (offensive coordinator Lane) Kiffin just letting me show my versatility a little bit, just having a little bit of fun with the offense, with all his toys, I guess,” said Fowler, who then described himself as, “I’m the big dump truck.”
As for Alabama’s other major injury concerns, senior tight end Brian Vogler (strained knee ligaments) returned to practice this week after essentially missing all of the Auburn game. In his absence Alabama used a combination of Brandon Greene, Malcome Faciane and Dakota Ball.
“I think we’ve adjusted well,” sophomore right end OJ. Howard, who made just his second start this season. “Brian, of course, is our leader in our group.”
Freshman left tackle Cam Robinson (shoulder, ankle) has also been practicing while redshirt freshman wide receiver ArDarius Stewart (strained knee ligaments) and junior linebacker Denzel Devall (ankle) have also increased their workload as the Crimson Tide has worked inside.
Scores of other players, including junior wide receiver Amari Cooper (knee) and T.J. Yeldon (ankle) have been playing though injuries, but after a brutal stretch run know that after Saturday’s SEC Championship Game against Missouri at the Georgia Dome (4 p.m. ET, CBS) the Crimson Tide will get a break before playing again in January.
“Ah man, I need it,” Fowler said. “These legs are shot. I’m gonna push through it, but I’m happy about the break.”
Christopher Walsh has covered Alabama football since 2004 and is the author of 19 books. In his free time, he writes about college football.
