Malachi Moore, James Burnip will be game-time decisions vs. Arkansas
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama head coach Nick Saban provided midweek updates on a pair of injured Crimson Tide players, Malachi Moore and James Burnip, on Wednesday morning.
“Malachi and James will both be game-time decisions depending on the progress they make between now and then,” said Saban on the SEC coaches media teleconference. “But we’re preparing as if neither guy would be able to play, but I can’t say that emphatically.”
Burnip left the game at Texas A&M in the second quarter, as he suffered “a pulled muscle in his leg” in pursuit of Aggies returner Ainias Smith. After visiting the sideline medical tent, he walked to the locker room with members of Alabama’s medical staff. Burnip would later return and even held for kicker Will Reichard, but he did not punt for the rest of the game.
Moore (ankle) was also injured in the second quarter and needed help off the field, unable to put any pressure on his right leg. After he spent time in the medical tent, Moore sat in the front seat of a cart and went to the locker room. He was seen on Alabama’s sideline in the second half but was in street clothes and was moving around with a walking boot on his foot.
When Moore went down, the Crimson Tide secondary experienced some changes. Cornerback Terrion Arnold moved from the boundary to Moore’s position at Star, while Trey Amos replaced Arnold at cornerback. When Alabama deployed its dime defense, safety Jaylen Key played the Money role while Kristian Story entered the game on the back end to play safety.
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“We pride ourselves on everybody being ready to play,” Key said Tuesday. “Everybody pretty much can play different positions, whether it be Terrion going to Star. We’ve got guys like Earl Little that’s ready to come into the game. We’ve got guys like Kristian Story that can come in and play both safety positions. I played a little Star during fall camp. So there’s always that scenario that can come up in the game of football. We always prepare for it.
“We pride ourselves on being ready for that. We practice that throughout the week. Guys take reps at different positions, whether it be going from free safety to strong safey to Star. We always prep for that. We’re ready for it if it comes up in the game.”
Saban was also asked on Wednesday’s teleconference about wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks, who did not appear to finish the Texas A&M game. Brooks played five total plays in the game, per PFF, and was replaced on kickoff returns by Roydell Williams later in the road contest.
“Ja’Corey’s been able to practice,” Saban said.
Alabama will hit the practice field this afternoon for its third workout of Arkansas week. The Tide will host the Razorbacks on Saturday, Oct. 14, for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff on ESPN.
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