Alabama football worked inside again on Thursday in the next to last practice before leaving for Atlanta. Check out the latest on Dylan Moses and Lester Cotton.
Thursday was the last media viewing period for an Alabama football practice in Tuscaloosa this season. The Crimson Tide has one more practice in Tuscaloosa on Friday but it is a closed session.
Lester Cotton’s status for Monday has not been released. He left the Superdome on crutches after the Clemson game. There have been reports he has a sprained or strained knee. Based the video of his injury, many Alabama fans believe he cannot play in the national championship game. But … Barrett Jones played in a national championship game on a broken foot, so there may be a chance Cotton can play.
Other injury news and a big surprise
After spending Wednesday on an exercise bike, Dylan Moses had on full gear Thursday. He was in a black, no-contact jersey but was on the field with the inside linebackers. Moses is not expected to play Monday night.
After two sessions in Tuscaloosa, it is clear the coaches are being very cautious with Minkah Fitzpatrick, Josh Jacobs and Damien Harris. Minkah was not seen in the Thursday viewing period, Harris and Jacobs are doing minimal work in drills.
Mack Wilson has appeared closer to 100 percent this week. At least he is participating in more inside linebacker drills. There has been no information if Anthony Averett has any lingering effects from his non-football, twisted ankle mishap in New Orleans. It did not appear to bother him in the Clemson game.
No surprises on the offensive line
J.C. Hassenauer has replaced Cotton as the starting right guard. Most insiders consider Hassenauer a more than capable replacement. We are not sure J.C. is able to toss around 300-pound defensive linemen as Lester Cotton does in the video below.
That’s one way to get a guy on the ground....that’s 300lb 1st round DT. pic.twitter.com/SM2scT1yrL
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) January 4, 2018
That is one impressive dispensing of a defender. If Lester is out for Georgia, he will be missed. Yesterday, we considered the other right guard options in case another offensive line injury occurs during the national championship game.
Next: Give Jeremy Pruitt credit for defensive performance against Clemson
The Crimson Tide will have two practice sessions on Saturday and Sunday in Atlanta. For those Alabama football fans who have been too busy to notice – today (1-4-18) is 11 years to the day since the press conference when Saban was introduced as Alabama’s football coach.