Nick Saban provides gameday update on Malachi Moore, Jaylen Key injuries

Alabama is readying for a big showdown with Texas on Saturday night and the Crimson Tide could have some key players back if coach Nick Saban and his comments are any indication.

Saban touched on the status of defensive back Malachi Moore and Jaylen Key on SEC Nation on Saturday morning.

“I do think both of them have a chance to play in the game, Malachi especially,” Saban said. “He’s practiced a little bit more. I think Jaylen will be a game-time decision.”

Both Moore and Key were injured in the team’s season-opening 56-7 win over MTSU last week. Their status certainly didn’t seem dire coming out of the game, with Saban waiting to see how they’d perform during the week.

“We got a couple guys banged up,” Saban said Saturday night. “I don’t know the extent of their injuries – Jaylen Key and Malachi Moore both. But we’ll see how that goes. They’ll get evaluated tomorrow and probably know more soon.”

Saban provided multiple updates on the duo throughout the week, offering some hope that they could be available for the big showdown against Texas.

Both will be needed against a Texas passing attack that features a veteran starter at quarterback in Quinn Ewers and some real weapons at wideout in the likes of Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington and Ja’Tavion Sanders.

“They’re able to practice,” Nick Saban said of Moore and Key on Monday. “Just how much they’re able to practice and how close to 100% they can get by game time will be the big question that we’ll have to answer. And that probably is not something that we can comment on until we get to that point.”

Here’s how you can tune into today’s Alabama vs. Texas game.

When, Where

When: Saturday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. CT (7 p.m. ET)

Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

How to Watch, Listen

Broadcast: ESPN

Crew: Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Holly Rowe (sideline)

Live Streaming: Watch ESPN + YouTube TV + fuboTV

Radio: Learfield

Radio Crew: Chris Hassel, Mike Golic Jr.

Local Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network

Local Radio Crew: Eli Gold (play-by-play), Tyler Watts (analyst), Chris Stewart (host), Christian Miller (sideline)

How Else to Listen: List of all Alabama radio affiliates

ESPN College GameDay: 8 a.m. CT

Betting Information

Betting Line (VegasInsider): Alabama -7

Over/Under: 53.5

Series History

Series Record: 2-7-1 (Texas leads)

Last Meeting: 2022 (Alabama won 20-19)

Win Streak: 2 games (Alabama)