Alabama’s Cyrus Jones and Denzel Devall were seen wearing black, non-contact jerseys and riding exercise bikes all spring. Both players are now “fully medically cleared” to participate in summer workouts, according to head coach Nick Saban. He broke the news to the media, during Tuesday’s SEC West football coaches’ conference.
“We [Alabama] didn’t feel like we needed to push them into the spring and maybe cause issues and problems for them in the future,” Saban said. “So we think both players will be ready to go through the summer conditioning program.”
Jones, a senior cornerback, saw action in 14 games last season, despite a torn labrum in his hip. He totaled 46 tackles (10th on the team), 13 pass breakups, three interceptions and two forced fumbles. His efforts in 2014, earned him second-team All-SEC honors according to the Associated Press. Jones has played in 54 career games with the Crimson Tide.
Devall, a senior outside linebacker, was limited to seven games last season because of a leg injury. He finished with 11 tackles (two solo stops) and two quarterback hurries. Devall returns in the fall as one of Alabama’s most seasoned outside linebackers. He’s appeared in 35 games, accounting for 59 career tackles (nine tackles for loss) and five sacks.
Stephen M. Smith is a staff writer and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine, Pick Six Previews and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
