Nick Saban provides an injury update on wide receiver JoJo Earle

The Alabama Crimson Tide is No. 1 again but the focus has immediately shifted to replacing the production from wideout John Metchie. Nick Saban confirmed that Metchie has a severe ACL injury but he also told reporters that the Tide could get freshman receiver JoJo Earle back.

“He is getting to the point where he’s dry-land running and has some opportunity to come back and play this game,” Saban said on Sunday after securing the Cotton Bowl bid.

Chances are very good for Alabama getting Earle back by the College Football Playoff semifinal on Dec. 31 in Texas. Unless he suffers an injury setback, Earle would provide Bryce Young with a No. 2 target behind Jameson Williams. The freshman was already dressed out and warming up on Saturday as the Tide prepped for the Georgia Bulldogs. He was able to avoid surgery after a punt return versus New Mexico State resulted in an injury.

JoJo Earle, 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, was No. 39 in the nation coming out of high school in Aledo, Texas, according to On3.

Metchie went down with a non-contact knee injury in the second quarter, and early reports indicated the now-confirmed diagnosis of a torn ACL. He had six receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown before exiting the SEC title game. His season is over with 1,142 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns. He’s eligible to enter the 2022 NFL Draft and ranks in the top-15 wideouts available.

Young and Bama pulled out the win, scoring 41 points on the No. 1 Bulldogs offense.

Alabama WR Jameson Williams proposed to goalpost

Alabam receiver Jameson Williams has crossed the goal line 15 times this season and on Saturday night, the senior decided to make things official with the end zone goalpost.

Following a 55-yard touchdown reception that put the Tide up 31-17 in the third quarter, Williams staged a proposal to the goalpost. The wideout got down on one knee and presented the goalpost with his touchdown ball. Supposedly, the goalpost said yes.

After the victory, Williams explained the celebration:

“Actually I did, I did [propose],” Williams said. “Oh yeah, [the goal post said yes] that’s why I gave it the hug at the end.”

The former Ohio State Buckeye finished the SEC title game with seven catches for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Williams has now posted four games with 150-plus receiving yards, all since the start of November. He’s second in the country in receiving touchdowns this season.