Alabama’s leading wide receiver did not play much last week against Mississippi State.
Nick Saban did not provide an injury update on Jermaine Burton before the game, but the former Georgia transfer was mostly encouraging teammates on the sideline. He held his helmet in his hand, looked engaged throughout the matchup, and shook a cowbell at Bulldog fans after the Crimson Tide’s 40-17 victory. Some looked at the situation as Coach Saban allowing younger players some playing time; however, Saban updated reporters in Wednesday’s Southeastern Conference Teleconference on Burton’s status for Saturday’s SEC West showdown between the Tide and Texas A&M at Kyle Field.
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Burton, a California native, has eight catches for 189 yards and two touchdowns.
He’s averaging 23.6 yards per catch.
“He’s been a little bit banged up,” Saban said about Burton. “We were going to try to spot him in the game and get him through the game if we could. Hopefully, he will be better this week.”
Burton has been better at creating separation on his routes. He’s established chemistry with sophomore quarterback, Jalen Milroe, and the matchup against the Aggies means a lot to him. Burton wants to win a national championship with this Alabama team, and he’s taken on a leadership role to do it. It will be interesting to see how much he plays at College Station, Texas.
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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.
