Alabama Football: Spring practice starts with injury woes

Alabama football opened spring practice on Tuesday with a rash of injuries. Suddenly the spring quarterback roster is down to two.

Alabama football fans will want to know all there is to know (and more) about the quarterbacks. The news was not good on Tuesday. Tua Tagovailoa hurt the thumb on his throwing hand and will be out for at least a “few days” according to Nick Saban.

That was not all the bad QB news. It was learned ECU transfer Gardner Minshew decided to not join the Crimson Tide. The ‘Air Raid’ siren song of Mike Leach, with Hal Mumme singing backup, has lured Minshew to Washington State. It is odd that Minshew’s reason for leaving ECU was to be closer to his Mississippi home for ‘family’ reasons. There is some saying about doors and posteriors that seems to fit here.

We are already talking injuries – again

In Tuscaloosa, there are several who want to play for the Tide but cannot – not yet that is. Anfernee Jennings is recovering from January knee surgery and will miss spring. The situation is pretty much the same for Matt Womack, Kendall Randolph and Keaton Anderson. Womack fractured a bone in his foot and is expected to miss six weeks.

Josh Jacobs is also recovering from a January surgery on his ankle. Jacobs played with an ankle injury most of the 2017 season. He may be able to practice some before the end of spring practice.

If all of the above was not weird enough, on Tuesday, wide receiver Devonta Smith was practicing with the cornerbacks. Yes, that Devonta Smith who caught arguably the most famous touchdown pass in Alabama football history.

Nick Saban explained what was going on with Smitty.

"Well, he can play corner, but that’s not our plan for him. Look, we don’t have enough guys in the secondary right now. We recruited some good players. Hopefully they’ll come on in the fall, they’re not here in the spring."

One new defensive back who began practicing with the team during the playoff run is Saivion Smith. Smith is expected to cement a starting role by the end of spring practice.

Who lined up with the first groups?

While it is too early to draw conclusions, Alabama football fans will want to know Tyrell Shavers worked with the first group of wide receivers. Working with the first group on the offensive line were Josh Casher and Jedrick Wills with Ross Piersbacher at center. Jonah Williams and Lester Cotten were at their customary left tackle and right guard positions.

Next: Five questions for spring practice

Alabama football will return to the practice field on Thursday. The Tide will have 14 more sessions including the A-Day game on April 21st.