During his press conference on Monday, Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced that senior cornerback Trevon Diggs and outside linebacker Terrell Lewis will not play in the Citrus Bowl against Michigan and will prepare for the NFL Draft.
“We have two players who have made the choice to not play in the game — Terrell Lewis and Trevon Diggs,” said Saban. “Every guy’s got a choice and decision to make, and we certainly respect and understand their decision and wish them well in what they choose to do.”
It was reported by Touchdown Alabama’s Stephen M. Smith that neither of the defenders was present during Monday’s practice.
With Alabama missing two of its top defensive players it will likely rely on sophomore cornerback Josh Jobe and Christopher Allen to step up in their absences.
Both Diggs and Lewis have a history of injury as both have missed significant time over their tenures in Tuscaloosa.
“I try to get guys to make business decisions about what they’re going to do,” said Saban. “I kind of get it if you’re a high first-round draft pick. The money versus how you can protect yourself and insure yourself may make a business decision that says the risk is not worth the reward of playing in the game. But if you’re not in that position, then you have an opportunity to showcase your talents and try to impress people with how you play.
“That’s pretty much what I told those guys, and it’s their choice. Everybody has to live with sort of the consequences of their decisions, whether they’re good decisions or bad decisions.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
