Alabama Football: Injury update for Jalen Hurts and Devonta Smith

Alabama football may have to take on LSU without Jalen Hurts and Devonta Smith. Check out the latest prognosis for both players.

The latest official, Alabama football injury news is both Jaen Hurts and Devonta Smith are day-to-day in terms of playing in Baton Rouge. Other sources place the status of the two players as questionable. In this case, it appears the other sources are more accurate. At least no source as said Jalen and Devonta are ‘doubtful’ against LSU.

There is no doubt, Jalen and Devonta will want to play. Jalen epitomizes the ‘whatever it takes to help the team’ attitude. Devonta is from Amite, LA. If the sophomore misses Saturday night, he may be in an NFL uniform when the Tide visits the Bengal Tigers again.

What we know and what we think

The ‘what we know’ is mostly what Nick Saban has said. From Charlie Potter of 247Sports,

"(Saban on Devonta) He’s practiced every day this week, and I think he’s making good progress. It’s just continue to go day-to-day and see how he improves through the course of the week and try to determine what his role can be in the game."

and,

"(Saban on Jalen) I think Jalen’s starting to turn the corner, so he’s starting to be able to move around and do some things. So, it’s going to be a total confidence thing with him, and hopefully, he’ll get out on the field today and be able to do a few things and then we’ll just kind of go from there."

Limited practice video evidence shows the ‘moving around’ part is progressing slowly for Jalen. The word we (and others) have been using to describe Jalen’s mobility is he is moving “gingerly” on the surgically repaired high ankle sprain. The video below gives an indication of how “gingerly” Jalen is moving.

Devonta’s injury is even more problematic. Hamstrings do not heal quickly and the risk of re-injury is high. Which brings us to ‘what we think.’

We have no inside information and our conjecture is just a best guess. Jalen will play only in the direst of situations, meaning Tua being unable to play due to a game injury. Devonta probably will not play and if he does it will be in limited action.

Thursday night Update: On his weekly radio show, Nick Saban said both players were moving around better in practice on Thursday.

Who fills in for the injured players

The fill-in for Jalen is obvious. It will be Mac Jones. Alabama football fans will hold a collective breath about possibly needing Mac to win in Baton Rouge.

Devonta’s starting role replacement is Jaylen Waddle. Since wide receiver backups are part of a normal rotation, one or two more players may see expanded roles. Three wideouts who could see more action are Derek Kief, Xavian Marks and Tyrell Shavers. The other options at wideout are either expected to be redshirted, Slade Bolden and Xavier Williams or, in the case of Chadarius Townsend, working at cornerback this week.

If that sounds like Alabama football is thin at wide receiver, don’t forget Irv Smith Jr. plays like a wideout. Also, Crimson Tide running backs, particularly Josh Jacobs, are receiving threats.

Could the two injuries affect the game’s outcome?

The answer is not unless Tua goes down during the game and before Alabama football has a comfortable lead. Perish the thought!

A question left unanswered is if Jalen cannot play, will Tua be allowed to run with the football? He says his knee is 100 percent.