Alabama Football: Vols prep winds down, injury news and possible new starters

Alabama football finished its second weekly practice in pads on Wednesday. There was new injury information and indications of new starters on offense.

Alabama football worked outside on Wednesday in what is always the last day of the week in pads and also the last opportunity for media viewing. A couple of items were noticed by the select viewing audience.

To no one’s surprise, Devonta Smith did not participate in drills. There was some surprise with Deonte Brown working with the first unit at left guard for the second time this week. The likely replacement for Smith on Saturday is Jaylen Waddle. More on Smith and Brown below.

The media got a brief look at the dime rabbits unit. The rabbits unit uses two outside linebackers with two defensive linemen. It has long been a weapon against pass-heavy teams. On Wednesday, the normal rotation across the front was unchanged with Christian Miller and Anfernee Jennings outside and Raekwon Davis and Isaiah Buggs inside. During drills, Quinnen Williams rotated with Davis. There has been no official word regarding lost playing time for Davis on Saturday. Don’t be surprised if he misses a quarter or a half of football. Based on Wednesday, when Davis is out, Quinnen will step in.

It is well known among Alabama football insiders and most fans that Nick Saban respects Jeremy Pruitt. Speaking Wednesday on the SEC Coaches Teleconference, Nick Saban talked about Pruitt,

"He’s a really good coach. He believes in the right stuff, with the players, helping them make the right decisions. … He is a very bright football guy with plenty of experience. He’s one of the best coaches we’ve had around here"

Nick Saban does not talk much about his 12-0 winning streak against his former assistants. He also does not want his team thinking about the current Alabama Crimson Tide 11-game winning streak over the Vols.

Nick has another message for his players this week. He tells them after they graduate from Alabama, the fans who follow them over time will ask each player three questions.

"What was your record against Tennessee? What was your record against Auburn? How many national championships did you win?"

Never let it be said Nick Saban does not understand Alabama football history and the legacy of those who came before him.

During the same media session, Saban said he had “nothing to report on the injury front.” Evidently, that was intended to discourage any Tua injury questions. A few minutes later he did speak about Devonta Smith and his hamstring injury,

"He has not been able to practice this week. He’s been walking around practice with me."

Saban called Smith “questionable” for the Tennessee game.

The best Saban quote of the session was a response to Lester Cotton’s injury status. As we mentioned above, Deonte Brown has worked at left guard with the first unit this week. Speaking about Cotton, Saban said,

"He was not 100 percent the last game, but there is competition at every position. Lester Cotton is competing for a job just like everybody else around here… I like performance."

It sure sounds as though, at least for now, Deonte Brown has beaten out Lester Cotton at left guard. Brown is the largest of all the Tide’s offensive lineman at a current reported weight of 344 pounds. The redshirt sophomore has spent most of his Crimson Tide career at well north of 365 pounds. Even with his weight issues, he has been known as one of the strongest players on the team.

Check out the full press conference video below.

There was one offhanded comment made by Nick in the presser. Talking about himself, he said “old guys like me.” Alabama football fans do not want to hear anything about Nick Saban being or getting old. Even if the words come from Nick. And especially if the words carry some truth.