Nick Saban provides injury updates on Khyree Jackson, JoJo Earle

Alabama took care of business in Week 3, but their injury report grew a bit with Khyree Jackson leaving the game.

With Vanderbilt coming to Tuscaloosa on Saturday, Nick Saban provided an update on the Crimson Tide defensive back, while also adding a tidbit on when the college football world could see wide receiver JoJo Earle back on the field.

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“He sprained his ankle on a punt return,” stated Saban, regarding Jackson. “I think the one that Brian Branch ran back for a touchdown. I don’t think it’s significant, but when you have an ankle injury, you’ve got to go day-to-day. We’ll see how he does this week.”

While Saban seemed positive regarding Jackson’s availability, he wasn’t as hopeful as it pertains to Earle’s foot injury he continue to deals with.

“I don’t recall saying that he was day-to-day,” recollected Saban. “Hopefully he’ll, he’s going to start doing some dry land running and things this week. That’s a medical decision, so when he gets back I really don’t know for sure. Can’t comment on that. I’m hoping sometime soon, but I don’t know when that might be.”

Nevertheless, the Crimson Tide are 3-0 and looking to stay on track against the Commodores, with matchups against Arkansas, Texas A&M and Tennessee looming large afterwards. Hopefully Khyree Jackson and JoJo Earle can be on the field for a tough stretch of SEC showdowns in the near future.

Alabama DB Kool-Aid McKinstry details the importance of special teams, role as punt returner

Furthermore, Saban is notorious for putting a strong emphasis on special teams, not shying away from putting starters on any of his special team’s units. Saban’s philosophy definitely paid off this weekend, as the Crimson Tide scored on two special teams plays in their dominant 63-7 victory over Louisiana-Monroe.

Afterwards, cornerback ‘Kool-Aid’ McKinstry spoke on the importance of special teams and the impact it makes on the team. 

“Special teams brings a lot to the game, we don’t look at special teams no different than offense and defense. We also understand that the energy that comes from special teams, it leads on to offense and defense,” McKinstry said. “So whatever we do on special teams, we know that leads on to offense and defense, bring energy.” 

The Crimson Tide special teams units made an impact early, as safety Malachi Moore returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in the first quarter of Saturday’s game to put Alabama up 21-0 early. 

Wide receiver JoJo Earle split the punt returning duties with Slade Bolden last season, and was likely going to be their primary punt returner this season with Bolden graduating last year. But Earle suffered an injury during fall camp that was projected to sideline him 6-8 weeks, as he’s expected to return in early October.

McKinstry has assumed the role as Alabama’s primary punt returner this season so far with Earle’s absence and had a career day returning the football Saturday for the Tide. McKinstry had five returns on the day for 136 yards, with his longest being 44 yards. He was asked jokingly after the game if he was gunning for Earle’s job following his performance or just holding for him until his return.

“I enjoy what I do and I do what I can do for the team, everything else is on coach,” McKinstry said.