Nick Saban provides updates on Drew Sanders, DJ Dale

It’s a big week for Alabama with the Iron Bowl coming up Saturday. Ahead of the big game, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban provided updates on two injured players on Wednesday.

Linebacker Drew Sanders has been dealing with a wrist injury and is playing with a cast on his hand. But Saban said the sophomore is getting used to it.

“Drew’s doing fine. It’s a little bit tougher for him to use that hand, especially when he’s playing with that cast on his hand. I think he’s getting more accustomed to it, he’s getting more confident [with] it.”

Defensive lineman DJ Dale is also dealing with an injury after hurting his knee in warm-ups before last week’s game against Arkansas. He didn’t end up playing, but Saban said he practiced on Wednesday — although might not be 100% just yet.

“He practiced today,” Saban said. “He probably wasn’t 100%, but I think this is something that will get better and better. So we’ll just see how he progresses.”

In Dale’s absence last week, freshman Dallas Turner stepped in and handled it well. Saban acknowledged Turner’s performance during his update on Sanders and Dale.

“Dallas Turner has done a really nice job for us, being a freshman,” Saban said. “He’s getting a lot of confidence, a lot of experience, he doesn’t make a lot of errors in the game. He’s a smart guy, prepares the right way.”

Nick Saban provides update on Alabama cornerback Josh Jobe

Josh Jobe was pulled in the third quarter of Alabama’s SEC West-clinching win over Arkansas last week. Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban gave an update on his injury in his press conference on Tuesday.

Jobe has been dealing with turf toe, but played through it on Saturday. He missed Alabama’s Nov. 6 game against LSU with the injury, but gave it a go last week.

Saban gave an interesting update on the senior cornerback before this week’s showdown with Auburn in the Iron Bowl.

“Josh practiced well all week and just had a couple tough plays in the game,” Saban said. “I think sometimes when players get a little frustrated, sometimes you’re protecting them by not putting them in there when they’re not feeling confident in themselves. We’ll talk today and see what we can do to help him play the way he’s capable of playing, because that’s the No. 1 goal we all have here.”

Jobe has 27 total tackles this year along with four pass breakups for the Crimson Tide. He had two tackles against the Razorbacks as Alabama held on for a 42-35 victory.

Kickoff between Alabama and Auburn in the Iron Bowl is coming up Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.