Alabama football practiced inside Mercedes-Benz stadium Saturday. After the last open session of the season, here are the national championship lineups.
Alabama football has not played an entire game this season with a fully healthy lineup. The same will be true Monday night when the Crimson Tide takes on Georgia for the national championship. On Saturday it was confirmed Lester Cotton will join Anfernee Jennings as starters who will not play in the national championship game.
Cotton has a sprained knee. Jennings recently had surgery to repair his injured knee. Including, Shaun Dion Hamilton who was lost for the season during the LSU game, Cotton and Jennings make three key starters lost.
The good news for Alabama football fans was the confirmation that Minkah Fitzpatrick will play Monday. Minkah has a bruised kidney, as reported by Mark Schlabach of ESPN.
"Fitzpatrick said he was injured when someone fell on his back while making a tackle in the first quarter of the Sugar Bowl. He acknowledged that he played the rest of the game in pain."
Media observers reported Minkah was moving normally at Saturday’s practice. As a precaution, his practice activity was limited. Since his injury did not take him out of the Clemson game, it is hoped he can play Monday with minimal pain.
Other injury notes and expected depth chart adjustments
- Earlier in the week, there was hope for freshman Dylan Moses playing against Georgia. Moses was back on a stationary bike Saturday making it highly unlikely for a playing role in the national championship game.
- LaBryan Ray practiced without limitation with the defensive line. Ray has not played since breaking his foot in practice two days before the Mercer game.
- Lester Cotton’s replacement at right guard will be J.C. Hassenauer. If the Tide must adjust to an offensive line injury against Georgia, freshman Jedrick Will can play guard and tackle. Crimson Tide players and coaches have confidence in Hassenauer. Wills is considered very capable as a run blocker.
- Terrell Lewis and Christian Miller will be near full speed at outside linebacker against Georgia. Lewis is the probable starter at Jack to replace Anfernee Jennings.
- Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs have been limited in practices but both are expected to be fine for the game.
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