Nick Saban provides an update on the status of Justin Eboigbe for rest of 2022 season

Could Justin Eboigbe return to the field for Alabama during the 2022 season? According to Nick Saban, it isn’t likely.

Speaking with the media during the SEC Coaches Teleconference, Saban revealed the status of the Crimson Tide defensive lineman for the remainder of Alabama’s season.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

“I don’t think so,” responded Saban, asked if Eboigbe would return from a neck injury he suffered earlier in the year. “I think that he had a procedure done that would enhance his opportunity to play in the future, but I don’t think that that’s going to come this season.”

Moreover, Eboigbe was a four-star recruit out of Forest Park, Georgia, according to the On3 Consensus. Part of the Class of 2019, the defensive lineman was the No. 10 recruit out of his home state, the No. 8 overall defensive lineman and the No. 69 overall prospect in his class.

During his four seasons with the Crimson Tide, the Alabama defensive lineman has amassed 59 total tackles, two pass deflections, 2.0 sacks and one interception.

While Justin Eboigbe played in the first four games of the season for Alabama, it seems like his attention will now turn to rehabbing and getting back on the field in the future.

Nick Saban provides injury updates on Jaheim Oatis, DJ Dale

Furthermore, Alabama was shorthanded in their bounce-back win against Mississippi State, playing without two key defensive linemen. Both DJ Dale and Jaheim Oatis were out on Saturday, leaving the Crimson Tide thin up the middle. But now, heading into the bye week, Nick Saban hopes both can get back to full health.

Saban provided an update on Dale and Oatis after the win, saying they are considered “day-to-day.” He thinks one will be back for sure before the SEC West showdown against the LSU Tigers and maybe even two. But as for his update on Saturday, Saban thinks it’s too early to tell for now.

“They’re day-to-day,” Saban said. “But, hopefully, we’ll get one back for sure. Maybe. Maybe both but it’s probably too early to tell.”

Oatis is just a true freshman but has been someone everyone involved with the program has spoken highly of. Transforming his body during the offseason, Oatis has seen the hard work pay off. He has recorded 20 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, and a sack in seven games.

Saban himself has been complimentary of the big man, saying you would never know he’s a freshman based on how he’s performed thus far.

Meanwhile, Dale is on the opposite side of the spectrum, being one of the more experienced defensive players Alabama has on its roster. He has been a key contributor in Tuscaloosa for some time now and he is somebody Saban could use during a night game in Death Valley.

This season, Dale has eight tackles, two tackles for a loss, and two sacks in seven games. His best performance of the year came in the loss against Tennessee but that’s also when the injury occurred.