Nick Saban: Deontae Lawson, Jaylen Key 'practiced quite a bit' ahead of Iron Bowl

As Alabama gets ready for the Iron Bowl against Auburn, the health of Deontae Lawson and Jaylen Key will be worth watching. Both players have been nursing injuries and neither played last week against Chattanooga.

Nick Saban provided a sense of optimism Wednesday night, confirming both players practiced ahead of the Iron Bowl.

“They’ve both practiced quite a bit this week,” Saban said during his Wednesday press conference. “We’ll just see how they continue to progress.”

Both Key and Lawson have been critical pieces of the Alabama defense this year. Key entered Saturday’s game ranked third on the Crimson Tide with 45 tackles and adding an interception on the season. Before his departure against LSU, he had a tackle and a pass breakup.

Lawson was seen in a walking boot during Week 10’s 42-28 victory over LSU, while Key reportedly suffered a quad injury during the same game. Both missed last week’s game against Kentucky after head coach Nick Saban said they were “very questionable” earlier in the week.

While their statuses seemed to improve ahead of last week’s game against Chattanooga, neither was able to give it a go.

Nick Saban: Alabama is ‘going to have to execute’ at Jordan Hare Stadium

Alabama heads into the Auburn game with a nine-game winning streak, including a 66-10 blowout over Chattanooga a week ago. The Crimson Tide will walk into a hostile environment at Jordan-Hare Stadium, as it usually is for the Iron Bowl. Saban knows it won’t be easy.

“If we’re going to have success there, we’re going to have to execute,” Saban said. “I mean, anytime you play on the road in this league, it’s a difficult place to play. This is no different.”

The one game Alabama won in its last three matchups at Auburn was a four-overtime thriller in 2021.

Still, Saban believes ultimately it comes down to playing well and executing. If his team does that, the Crimson Tide should be just fine.

“You know, people talk about all the crazy stuff that happens in this game, but since I’ve been here, the team that should’ve won the game, won the game, based on who played the best,” Saban said.

“So I think the focus needs to be on how are we going to play and how are we going to execute and do what we do, and what kind of consistency are we going to be able to maintain in the difficult environment.”

On3’s Matt Connolly contributed to this report.