Nick Saban provides crucial injury update on linebacker Christopher Allen

The latest injury update on Alabama linebacker Christopher Allen is in. Despite not having played since September, the redshirt senior has a chance to return for the College Football Playoff.

“Chris Allen is doing what he can do, and it’s a tough rehab for the injury that he has,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “I think everybody is doing a good job trying to get him where he needs to be. But that’s still pretty much up in the air.”

Allen entered the 2021 season on the Butkus Award watch list after an impressive campaign the year before. He led the SEC with 13 tackles for loss and also recorded six sacks on his way to All-SEC second team honors.

He picked up where he left off in the 2021 season opener against Miami with three tackles, one sack and a forced fumble. However, he left the game early because of a foot injury. It was later determined to be a fracture, and he has been out ever since.

Saban’s comments suggest that Allen is still questionable to play in the College Football Playoff. The Crimson Tide have a little more than a week left to prepare before facing Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on New Year’s Eve.

Even if Allen returns for that game, however, it is likely he will be limited to some degree. Given the severity of the injury, Alabama will likely want to be cautious with its star so that he can be healthy should he return for the following season.

The Crimson Tide will need all the help they can get, though, and it seems Allen is giving it his best shot. The Bearcats are the only remaining unbeaten team in college football, so they won’t go down easy.

If Allen is able to return, he will team up with Will Anderson to form a formidable defensive duo. Continue to check in with On3 ahead of the game for an injury update on Christopher Allen.