Coming into fall camp Alabama had a few young players head to the injured list from the jump.
Wide receiver Aaron Anderson, defensive back Earl Little, defensive lineman Isaiah Hastings and offensive lineman Elijah Pritchett were four freshmen who were hampered at the very beginning of fall camp.
“We had Hastings come in with an injury,” Saban said back at the beginning of August. “We fixed it, and he should be back shortly probably. Elijah Pritchett tore his pec in the weight room a while back in the summer, so he’ll be out for a little while. Earl Little had a shoulder coming in that was bothering him, so we decided to fix it. He’ll be out for a little while, as well. Aaron Anderson has a little knee injury, but he’ll be back in a few weeks, as well.”
When asked for an update Saban shared that there wasn’t much new to report on the front while emphatically stating that he won’t be giving a daily injury report of the team.
“No different,” Saban said. “I’m not gonna give you an injury report in here every week OK? When those guys are ready to play we’ll let you know. So they all had significant injuries. Some of them are practicing in black jerseys. And there’s no real timetable for knowing when they’re gonna return.”
Alabama’s other major injury from fall camp was to starting tight end Cameron Latu who dealt with a knee issue. Saban stated on Monday that his status would be evaluated “day-to-day”, but is confident in reserve tight end Robbie Ouzts amongst its other younger options to step up in their roles in Saturday’s game against Utah State.
“Robbie Ouzts has done a really good job at the position,” Saban said on Monday,” but all three young guys have made significant progress and they’ll probably have some role in this game.”
Alabama will kickoff its season against Utah State on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 6:30 p.m. CT inside Bryant-Denny Stadium with the SEC Network on the call.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
