Alabama football: Veterans set to return against Miami

Veteran starting right tackle Kendall Randolph and versatile defensive lineman LaBryan Ray are both expected to be available in Alabama’s season opener on Saturday, according to 247 Sports’ Charlie Potter. The two Alabama veterans have dealt with injuries during training camp, but head coach Nick Saban confirms they are both available.

“I think both will be ready to play in the game,” Saban said on the SEC teleconference. “We’re very encouraged by how they were doing, how they’ve been doing, the progress that they’re making. Kendall’s been out with a little twisted ankle, and LaBryan’s coming off a muscle pull. But both guys will be available for the game, and both guys are doing very well.”

Alabama is set to take on Miami in a neutral site game at Mercedes Benz Stadum in Atlanta, Georgia at 3:30 ET. The Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game will be broadcast on ABC.

More injury updates

Earlier this week, Nick Saban provided more injury updates for Week One. No players were officially ruled out but there are questions about certain players’ availability.

“I think we’ll obviously see when the games comes,” Nick Saban said on Monday. “But we’ve had some injuries on the offensive line so we haven’t always had the same group together. Which, the good thing about that is, you get more experience for other guys who may have to play. The bad news is, those guys didn’t get to play together quite as much. But I’m confident in the group, there’s a lot of competition up there which I think is a good thing and we’ll see. They’re going to play against a good front, an active front, a very aggressive front in this game so it’ll tell us where we’re at.”

Kendall Randolph and Chris Owens were among the starting offensive lineman who missed time with injuries this fall. Owens and Evan Neal missed last week’s scrimmage, though it is unknown if Neal’s absence was related to an injury.

The backup center for the Crimson Tide is Darrian Dalcourt, who pushed Owens for the starting job throughout camp. Five-star freshman J.C. Latham is listed as the backup right tackle.

Nick Saban also provided an update on listed starting free safety Demarcco Hellams.

“DeMarcco (Hellams) will start running today,” Saban said. “He’s still probably questionable for this game so I can’t answer whether he’ll be available for the game or not.”

Hellams is recovering from a sprained ankle suffered earlier this month.

If Hellams is unavailable, Brian Branch is listed alongside him on the depth chart as the other starter. Behind Branch and Hellams is second-year defensive back Kristian Story.