One day into Alabama Football Fall Camp, there was good injury news. There were also injury concerns; one of which is troubling. To be clear, none of the bad injury news is official. It might become official when Saban and his Coordinators do a media report, with questions and answers on Sunday.
Via Twitter, rumors are circulating that LaBryan Ray is out with another injury. A few of the tweets come from Alabama football insiders that normally have good information. It is being rumored Ray has had, or will have surgery, but is expected to return by the early portion of the season.
Another, even less confirmed rumor, is that wide receiver Xavier Williams incurred a serious enough injury at some point, he may not play in the 2021 season.
If either rumor has a basis in fact, it can be expected to be confirmed soon.
Six Alabama Crimson Tide players had no physical contact work during spring training. They were Malachi Moore, John Metchie III, Phidarian Mathis, Emil Ekiyor Jr., Pierce Quick and Trey Sanders. Crimson Tide fans remember Moore’s outstanding freshman season was cut short by injury, causing him to miss both College Football Playoff games. All six are now expected to be good to go in Fall Camp.
That Sanders was not in black jersey Friday was a pleasant surprise. The immensely talented running back from the Alabama Football 2019 class is returning to action sooner than was expected. The Crimson Tide had a loaded running back group without a healthy Sanders. With all that talent, his return is still a big boost.
Alabama Football: Friday Practice Report
The Crimson Tide has suffered through the loss of key players in each of the last few seasons. A focus for Nick Saban in bringing in Dr. Matt Rhea and David Ballou was to reduce serious injuries. Last season, results showed Rhea and Ballou made clear progress. Speaking at SEC Media Days, Nick Saban said,
"Last year our injuries were down by about 50%, soft tissue injuries. We increased explosive movement during the season by almost 5%."
Sports science experts say the key to the Tide pair’s approach is to concentrate training more on explosive movement than powerlifting. The results so far have been a healthier, quicker and faster Crimson Tide roster.
The Alabama Football team will return to the practice field Saturday for its second of the NCAA required seven acclimation sessions.