Nick Saban provides status updates on Tyler Booker, Jaheim Oatis

Tyler Booker and Jaheim Oatis are back practicing for Alabama, but they’re both still day-to-day, Nick Saban said during his Wednesday press conference. Booker sat out last week’s game against USF with back spasms and Oatis was seen in a walking boot during pregame.

Booker is an essential part of the Alabama offensive line and Oatis plays a key role on the defensive line. Their returns would be important as the Crimson Tide get ready to take on Ole Miss to start SEC play this week.

However, Saban said they’re still working their way back and maintain their day-to-day status.

“Tyler Booker is practicing, and so is Jaheim Oatis,” Saban said. “They haven’t had issues. That doesn’t mean they’re still not day-to-day in terms of coming back and getting over injuries, but they are practicing.”

Saban initially provided an update on both players during his postgame press conference following the 17-3 victory. He also noted Kendrick Law was sick and didn’t travel with the team. However, he sounded optimistic about all three and said the hope will be to get them back against Ole Miss.

“We had a couple guys miss the game today,” Saban said, via BOL’s Charlie Potter. “Jaheim Oatis had an ankle injury, so he should be OK. K-Law was sick, so he actually didn’t even make the trip. Very sick, but I think he’ll be OK. And Booker didn’t play. 

“And Book’s kind of the leader of the offensive line. He certainly helps (Kadyn Proctor) play better because he plays beside of him, makes him all the calls, and I think 74 has a lot more confidence when he’s in there. So hopefully, we’ll get him back next week, as well.”

Getting Booker back would be huge for an Alabama offensive line that has struggled to start the season. The Crimson Tide have allowed 12.0 sacks, which is second-worst in the SEC only to South Carolina. They’re also undergoing another change at quarterback with Jalen Milroe jumping back under center. He didn’t play in the game against USF as Tyler Buchner and Ty Simpson took reps in the game, but Saban announced it’s Milroe’s show now with conference play getting underway on Saturday.

However, one thing’s for sure: Alabama doesn’t plan on running a two-quarterback system against Ole Miss, according to Saban. It’s going to be Milroe’s game.

“We have not considered that,” Saban said during Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference.