Nick Saban provides injury update on Kendrick Blackshire, timetable for return

In the SEC coaches teleconference Wednesday, Alabama coach Nick Saban revealed that sophomore linebacker Kendrick Blackshire has been dealing with a wrist injury that kept him out the past four weeks.

Saban said that Blackshire had pins put in his wrist as a result of the injury, and wasn’t able to say for certain when he might return. With just two games remaining in the regular season, though, it casts doubt whether he’ll be back before the bowl game.

“He may be back next week, maybe not,” Saban said. “I don’t know. He’s got a wrist injury that they had to put pins in, and you’ve gotta hold guys out when that happens to them because if the pins break, you’ve got a real problem. So, until it heals, he’s probably on the shelf.”

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Prior to his injury, Kendrick Blackshire played in seven games mostly on specials teams, recording six tackles. In a crowded linebacker room that features Will Anderson, Dallas Turner and Henry To’oTo’o, there weren’t many reps up for grabs.

However, Blackshire had been making the most of his chances on special teams, earning praise from Saban for the improvements he made since his freshman year.

“He was making good progress,” Saban said. “He was playing well on special teams. Showed some maturity, is a little bit more confident and understanding of the defense and what he needed to do. He hasn’t been able to make progress lately because of his injury.”

Saban didn’t rule out the possibility of Blackshire returning to action when the Crimson Tide face Austin Peay this weekend, so that will be something to monitor. After that, Blackshire’s next opportunity to return will come in the Iron Bowl against Auburn on Nov. 26 to close the regular season.