Alabama Football: Notes from Wednesday prep for Orange Bowl

Alabama football continued preparation for the Oklahoma Sooners Wednesday with another full pads session at Barry University.

The Alabama football practice session on Wednesday afforded media members a longer than usual look at the Alabama Crimson Tide. Reporters present made the same conclusion as was done on Monday, assessing Tua’s mobility at near 100 percent. For the record, Jalen appears to be 100 percent as well.

Prior to practice, several Alabama football players were available for interviews, including Tua. Tua reported he was still receiving treatment on his ankle and estimated his recovery status at 80-85 percent.

Pay close attention to the agility drills in the video below. Tua does not look limited whatsoever.

There is no longer any question about whether Tua will be healthy enough to not only play and also start the Orange Bowl game. Lingering doubts are only about how the ankle responds to awkward contact. Expectations are Tua has received even more than usual cautions about holding on to the ball too long.

Replacing suspended Deonte Brown, senior Lester Cotton was working at left guard. Cotton has significant starting experience and the Alabama football coaching staff expressed full confidence in Lester being able to get the job done on Saturday. Another guard option, Matt Womack, continued to work at second unit, right tackle during the media viewing period.

Injured outside linebackers, Terrell Lewis and Chris Allen were also practicing on Wednesday. The two players practiced while wearing knee braces. Both players suffered serious knee injuries last summer. Lewis was hurt in July and Allen was injured in August. Allen is not expected to play on Saturday. Lewis is perhaps up to a doubtful status, but if he plays his role will be limited.

Videos of the Sooners Wednesday practice showed injured wide receiver, Marquise Brown able to run routes, though with a slight limp. Earlier scoop we received from Oklahoma insiders was the best Sooners’ hope for ‘Hollywood’ is him being at 75 percent by game time.

In other news, there is a rumor circulating UCF has declared itself the winner of the ServPro First Responders Bowl game. In case you missed it, the actual game was canceled today due to severe lightning throughout the Dallas, TX area. UCF has not yet declared itself the winner, but the CFB Bowl Season is not over.