TUSCALOOSA, Ala.– LSU offensive coordinator Matt Canada attacked Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick a few times last week, which led to him being shaken up in the game.
After wide receiver Russell Gage hurdled him and Fitzpatrick injuring his hamstring on a downfield pass from Danny Etling, the junior did not play much at all in the second half.
Ever the competitor, it took head coach Nick Saban, members of the training staff and even Fitzpatrick’s father to calm him down. Despite winning 24-10, Crimson Tide fans are concerned about having its Thorpe Award semifinalist versus Mississippi State.
He fully participated in practice this week, regardless of having an apparatus on his hamstring.
The extra accessory did not appear to slow him down in tackling or ball skill drill, and according to Saban, the former five-star was able to work and get his reps for the matchup.
“He’s done well in practice,” Saban said. “He’s going to be prepared to play in the game and we will make a decision on if he can do his job when the time comes.”
As far as providing a concrete answer on whether Fitzpatrick is healthy or not, Saban continues sticking to his script on making sure the media knows he’s not a physician.
“One of the most difficult things as a coach is to coaching injured players, because you ask me if I think he’s close to full health,” he said. “Again, did you ever see that series on TV called ‘The Good Doctor’ where the guy is really smart and he figures out things that nobody else can figure out? I’m not there. I’m not there. If I was, I’d be working in that hospital.”
One thing for certain is that Alabama needs Fitzpatrick.
With being down four linebackers, the Crimson Tide must have its captain of the defensive backfield making life difficult for Bulldogs’ quarterback Nick Fitzgerald on Saturday.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
