Nick Saban provides injury update on Alabama offensive linemen

Nick Saban is hopeful he will have healthy offensive linemen for the national championship. The Alabama coach said Friday that starting right tackle Chris Owens and starting right guard Emil Ekiyor both practiced this week.

He is hopeful they will be able to play Monday against Georgia. Both players suffered their injuries in the Cotton Bowl against Cincinnati and left the game. Ekiyor is dealing with a shoulder issue while Owens hurt his ankle.

Alabama still defeated the Bearcats by score of 27-6 to claim their spot in the national title game. The Tide kick off against Georgia, which they beat in the SEC championship, at 8 p.m. ET on Monday.

Even with Owens and Ekiyor sidelined with their respective injuries, the offensive line still had a good showing in the Cotton Bowl. They paved the way for 301 yards rushing in the victory. The same can be said for the first matchup against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. Much to the pleasure of Nick Saban, the Alabama offensive linemen held Georgia without a sack in that game.

In other injury news, the Crimson Tide will be without cornerback Josh Jobe and receiver John Metchie III. Jobe had surgery for a turf toe injury, while Metchie tore his ACL in the SEC title game. Cornerback Jaylin Armour-Davis is also considered questionable for the national championship.

Georgia is not expected to miss any key players in the game. In fact, receiver George Pickens made his return from an ACL tear in the final game of the regular season against Georgia Tech. Many believe the Bulldogs star is primed for a breakout game against the Alabama secondary.

He led Georgia in receiving with 727 yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman during the 2019 season. Look for the Alabama defense to do its best to ensure his impact on the game Monday is minimal.