Alabama came out of the 59-3 win over New Mexico State with a heavy mix of injury updates. Head coach Nick Saban gave a few brief updates following the game on running back Roydell Williams, wide receiver JoJo Earle, defensive back DeMarrco Hellams and offensive linemen Javion Cohen and Darrian Dalcourt.
The two more serious injuries were suffered by Earle and Williams who are both expected to miss some time. Saban did not specify what types of injuries were suffered but he did report Earle’s was not as serious.
“We lost Roydell, probably for a good while, and JoJo probably not quite as serious but still gonna be out for a while,” Saban said. “So those two are pretty significant injuries.”
Saban shared that Hellams came into Saturday’s game with a thigh bruise which flared up midway through the game when making a tackle on the sideline. Hellams could have entered the game, but Saban opted to hold out the junior.
“DeMarcco has a thigh bruise,” Saban said. “He had a thigh bruise going into the game. He, unfortunately, got hit in the same spot even though he was padded. He could have gone back in the game and played but I think the score was 35-3 or something at the time. You know (Daniel) Wright is a good player that has a lot of experience so we decided not to put him back in the game.”
Coming into the game, Alabama was without two starters on the offensive line in Cohen and Dalcourt. Cohen suffered a wrist injury at practice and Dalcourt was held out with an ankle sprain. Thankfully for the Crimson Tide, both will be back at practice next Tuesday.
“Javion had a wrist issue that was repaired and he’s fine,” Saban said. “And Dalcourt is will be back to practice on Tuesday. So both guys will practice on Tuesday.”
Filling in for Cohen was junior Tommy Brown and starting tackle Chris Owens moved inside to center to replace Dalcourt giving Damieon George the start on the outside.
The changes on the line proved to not be an issue on the day as Alabama rushed for 247 yards on the Aggie defense.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
