Finding Waldo in every comic strip was as difficult as locating Alabama’s senior quarterback Jake Coker in Monday’s 9:30 a.m. practice session; however, at least Waldo was spotted.
Coker was a no-show, as Alec Morris and Cooper Bateman led drills in his absence.
Alabama’s head coach Nick Saban updated the media on Coker’s condition through a press release via UA’s Athletics Communications Department.
“Jake Coker has a minor foot injury that we think will keep him out of practice for several days. Our physicians anticipate a full recovery,” Saban said.
Happiness doesn’t come in unfortunate situations, nevertheless, life goes on.
When asked about Coker’s absence, senior center Ryan Kelly said he recognized that Coker wasn’t on the field, but he doesn’t know the extent of his injury.
“The medical stuff is for Jeff Allen (athletic director of sports medicine) and Coach Saban,” Kelly said. “One thing I know is that Jake is a heck of a competitor and a guy who really tries hard. There isn’t a single person on this team that hasn’t had an injury or bounced back from something like having surgery. I know that Coker will try hard to get back to where he is.”
Alabama dealt with a tough injury last season, in seeing senior running back Kenyan Drake break his leg against Ole Miss. This year’s team now turns to its “Next Man Up” motto.
Coker’s injury now opens the door for redshirt freshman David Cornwell or true freshman Blake Barnett to seize the job. The Crimson Tide will hold its second scrimmage Saturday
Cornwell has led Alabama’s second group of quarterbacks in drills throughout fall camp.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
