Nick Saban offers positive updates on Deontae Lawson, Jaylen Key
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama head coach Nick Saban offered updates on two injured players who have missed the last two games, linebacker Deontae Lawson and safety Jaylen Key.
“They’ve both practiced quite a bit this week,” Saban said after Wednesday’s practice. “We’ll just see how they continue to progress.”
Lawson (ankle) and Key (quad) suffered injuries in Alabama’s win over LSU and weren’t able to practice prior to the Kentucky game. Key went through warmups prior to the Chattanooga game but didn’t play, while Lawson wasn’t in uniform for the home finale. The last two weeks, Jihaad Campbell and Trezmen Marshall filled in for Lawson, while Key’s safety spot in the secondary has been manned by Malachi Moore, Kristian Story and DeVonta Smith.
Lawson has been the defense’s signal-caller this season, relaying the calls from the Alabama sideline to the front seven. While Moore has been the top communicator on the back end of the defense, the safeties play a role in that, and Key has been missing from that operation for the last two contests. This week, the Tide players were asked about the communication.
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“I feel like the guys that we have put in for those guys have done a good job of just making sure they’re prepared and stepping up and making sure that we don’t have any drop-off,” cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry said. “So I feel like the guys that we have put in to step into those shoes for those guys, I feel like they did a good job preparing and doing the right job.”
In addition to Lawson, wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks (shoulder) and defensive back Earl Little didn’t dress against UTC. Little, who had his right arm in a sling, played in the first nine games but hasn’t suited up the last two weeks. The extent of his injury is not known.
After the game Saturday, Saban shared positive updates on wide receiver Kobe Prentice, who missed Week 12 with a hamstring strain, and linebacker Quandarrius Robinson (stinger).
The 88th Iron Bowl is scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Nov. 25, on CBS.
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