Alabama head coach Nick Saban returned to a familiar setting on Thursday.
He was at Baumhower’s Victory Grille for his weekly radio show. Saban has his team prepared to host Middle Tennesee State at Bryant-Denny Stadium to open its football season. The matchup is set for Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network. He touched on several topics with Eli Gold, including injury updates. Coach Saban updated two former five-stars who dealt with minor injuries in fall practice. Justice Haynes (running back) and Jihaad Campbell (inside linebacker) are doing okay, per Saban.
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Haynes missed some time with a quad contusion, while Campbell recently had his knee scoped.
Saban told reporters and fans in the audience that Haynes is back practicing.
“He’s good,” Saban said about Hayne. “He’s a fine young man, a really good play, and one of the freshmen that will make a significant contribution, I think, to the team.”
Haynes, a native of Buford, Ga., was a superstar running back from Buford High School. He recorded 7,574 career rushing yards and 95 touchdowns across four years. Campbell, a New Jersey native, is ‘doubtful’ for Saturday’s meeting against MTSU.
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“He’ll probably be doubtful for this game,” Saban said about Campbell.
“Possible for this game, but will probably be able to play in the next game.”
Campbell is a talented linebacker who had a great preseason camp. Alabama is hopeful to have him next week when Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns come to town.
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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 @CoachingMSmith.
