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Alabama Football: A too long list of players not healthy for the opener

By Ronald Evans

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on before the 2018 SEC Championship Game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on before the 2018 SEC Championship Game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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There is nothing official yet from the Alabama football staff but it is looking more obvious a long list of players will not be 100 percent for the opener.

A quick word to Alabama football fans – if you are expecting some detailed insider scoop on injured players, this post may not be for you. What follows is insight based on credible presumptions. We are not trying to scoop anyone.

The next day for any official word about Alabama football players will be Thursday and provided by Nick Saban. When he reluctantly releases a depth chart next Monday, more information will be made available.

We expect the word ‘probable’ to be well used in describing who is healthy enough to open the season against the Duke Blue Devils. We should all remember every team has injuries during fall camp. Competition is fierce for playing time and practice reps. Only a few Alabama football players (barring new injuries) are expected to be designated as out indefinitely.

Many others will be healthy enough to play but at varying percents below fully sound. No offense to the Blue Devils, but the Alabama football staff should feel no urgency to push players back quickly. The trainers and medical staff will decide but any Crimson Tide player at 80 percent or less should maybe sit out the first two weekends of the season. Such a decision would not put game outcomes at risk.

Alabama Football Players out indefinitely

  • Josh McMillon – ILB – Knee damage
  • Trey Sanders – RB – Foot injury
  • Nigel Knott – CB – Unspecified medical problem

The probable or questionable list

  • LaBryan Ray – DE – Ankle injury
  • D.J. Dale – DT – Twisted knee
  • Jerome Ford – RB – High ankle sprain
  • Stephon Wynn – DT – High ankle sprain
  • Christian Harris – ILB – Unspecified knee ailment

The ‘if not 100 percent, why play them’ list

  • Terrell Lewis – OLB – Recovering from an ACL injury last season
  • Chris Allen – OLB – Recovering from an ACL injury last season
  • Shyheim Carter – DB – Carter has been nicked up through much of fall camp

A couple of guys who have missed some work this fall, Miller Foristall and Matt Womack are expected to a full-go against the Blue Devils. A couple of more, Antonio Alfano and Pierce Quick were not on track to appear in more than four games this season. They do not need mop-up duty in the early weeks.

There are other teams with similar injury concerns to the Crimson Tide. David Cutcliffe’s Duke team probably has more starters who will miss the season opener. But after losing Terrell Lewis and Chris Allen last season and after Tua played so much at less than 100 percent, Tide fans are justifiably concerned about injuries.

Next. The Tide glass is still more than half full. dark

As the link above suggests, dour outlooks bring no value. A few players are out, a few more are recovering, more than a few are banged up. It is time to play football.

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