As Alabama prepares to begin conference play on Saturday against Vanderbilt, head coach Nick Saban took the podium to preview the game and gave a few injury updates regarding his roster.
Following last Saturday’s 63-7 win over ULM, defensive back Khyree Jackson was seen leaving the game in a walking boot and Saban explained what happened and his current status.
“He just sprained his ankle on a punt return,” Saban said. “I think the one that Brian Branch ran back for a touchdown. I don’t think it’s significant, but when you have an ankle injury, you’ve gotta go day-to-day, and we’ll see how he does this week.”
Jackson has been involved in the starting cornerback competition along with Terrion Arnold, Kool-Aid McKinstry and Eli Ricks. Arnold and McKinstry were the two who started against the Warhawks last week with Jackson and Ricks rotating in afterward.
Offensively, the Crimson Tide is still down a few wide receivers who it hopes to make a return soon. Saban was asked directly about sophomore JoJo Earle who suffered a foot fracture back in August.
Although he did not provide a definitive timetable, Earle will likely begin some dry-land movement this week.
“Hopefully, he’s gonna start doing some dry-land running and things this week,” Saban said. “But that’s a medical decision, so when he gets back, I really don’t know for sure, can’t comment on. I hope it’s sometime soon, but I don’t know when that might be.”
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
