🏈 Practice Reports: Arkansas

[Alabama17Tide]

By Tony Tsoukalas

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama players worked outside in their first practice in preparation for Saturday’s game against Arkansas. Players were dressed in shorts and shells in cloudy, 80-degree weather for the workout.

Here are a few notes from the media viewing period:

— As noted by head coach Nick Saban earlier in the day, Trevon Diggs (foot) returned to practice and was working with the rest of the defensive backs during individual drills.

— Tony Brown (sprained knee) was not seen at practice. Saban said Brown is “day-to-day” and that the team won’t be able to make a decision on him until the end of the week. The senior is Alabama’s starter at Star in the dime package.

— Da’Shawn Hand (MCL) was also absent during the media viewing period. He was seen walking into the weight room wearing a black jersey before practice.

— Calvin Ridley (thigh bruise) was limited during the media viewing period. He stood behind the rest of the receivers during screen drills, jogging alongside at the end of the drill

— Damien Harris led the running backs and was followed by Bo Scarbrough, Najee Harris, Brian Robinson and Josh Jacobs. Robinson was wearing a No. 21 to represent Arkansas running back Devwah Whaley (5-11, 216 pounds). Whaley is Arkansas’ second-leading rusher with 246 yards and two touchdowns on 54 carries.

Monday practice report Arkansas game week | BamaInsider.com

 

[Alabama17Tide]

Injury update: Arkansas-

FAYETTEVILLE – Austin Allen is day-to-day with an injury suffered during Arkansas’ loss to South Carolina, head coach Bret Bielema said Monday.

Bielema specifically said it was not a concussion or head injury and indicated Allen’s shoulder was hurt. He sounded optimistic that Allen would be able to play Saturday

The injury eventually led Bielema to replace him with redshirt freshman Cole Kelley in the fourth quarter. After the game, Bielema told the media that Allen was not cleared to return.

“From an injury standpoint, obviously the biggest one was Austin not being able to return to play,” Bielema said. “Still in an evaluation process with him. Could return as early as today (or) tomorrow. Don't really know anything until we get into a few more results.”

Allen completed 12 of 24 passes for 84 yards, one touchdown and one interception Saturday. His 84 passing yards were the fewest he’s had since becoming the Razorbacks’ starting quarterback.

On several of his throws, Allen appeared to drop his throwing angle, something offensive coordinator Dan Enosattributed to the shoulder injury.

“I think he was sore,” Enos said. “He's going to stay out there, compete and play, but he changed the level of his throwing motion a little bit. I think he was compensating for some pain he was feeling.”

Another key offensive player who went down with an injury Saturday was starting offensive lineman Johnny Gibson. He started at right guard and played the first 58 offensive snaps before getting hurt in the fourth quarter.

“Johnny's been recovering from it very, very well,” Bielema said. “I think he's got a chance to practice tomorrow if not Wednesday, so we'll continue to work (with) him.”

The South Carolina game was Gibson’s first start of the season at right guard, the position he started five games at in 2016. He started the first four games this year at right tackle.

True freshman Ty Clary, who had been Arkansas’ starting right guard, replaced Gibson and played the final 14 snaps of the game.

“Johnny's a pretty tough kid,” Bielema said. “He got rolled up over there. I know it hurts him not to be out there, but he's really turned into a very, very good player. I think he plays better at that guard position than he does at tackle.”

Injury Report: Bielema updates status of Allen, Gibson

 

[Tidestalker]

The staff doesn't mess around man... Jacobs was on the field in the wrong package 1 time and dropped down below the scout team RB. lol.

Better be on your toes on that sideline! I feel for the kid though. He was amazing last season and is an afterthought now. The injury was a real set back. Hopefully he gets his shot though, he's a special back.

 

[JoshB]

 

[rick4bama]

Hope to see these guys back on the field in a couple of weeks!

 

[Alabama17Tide]

Injury update: Alabama receives good news and bad news
Tony Tsoukalas | Alabama team writer

Alabama defensive back Tony Brown returned to practice Wednesday after missing time with a sprained knee. Photo | Getty images

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama’s secondary took another step toward returning to full strength on Wednesday as Tony Brown returned to practice for the first time this week. Brown, who suffered a sprained knee against Texas A&M, was wearing a brace on his left knee and appeared limited during the workout.

“He was able to do some stuff in practice today,” Saban said. “His position is probably a little tougher to play with a sprained knee. He runs straight ahead pretty well, but the change of direction, the stopping and starting, redirecting, those are probably the most difficult things.

“He’s actually made faster progress than I had hoped, so that’s very encouraging. Whether he’ll be able to do enough to be able to have a role in this game, we’ll probably have to wait and see. If he can do a little more tomorrow, that will be even more encouraging.”

Brown was injured during the third quarter when he was filling in for starter Levi Wallace at left cornerback. Brown typically plays at the Star position when the Crimson Tide works out of the dime package. Wednesday, he was shadowing behind Minkah Fitzpatrick at Star, while Hootie Jones took over Fitzpatrick’s role at Money. Freshman Xavier McKinney filled in at safety beside Ronnie Harrison, while Wallace and Anthony Averett played at cornerback.

Part of the reason Brown was working at cornerback last week was due to the absence of backup Trevon Diggs, who suffered a foot injury against Ole Miss and missed the game against Texas A&M. Diggs returned to practice on Monday and has not appeared to be limited.

While the return of Brown and Diggs would certainly be welcomed additions this week, Alabama was dealt some bad news as backup offensive lineman Brandon Kennedy will be out for an “extended period of time” after sustaining an ankle injury in practice Tuesday. Saban said the injury required surgery but did not give an exact timetable for the offensive lineman’s return. Kennedy, a redshirt sophomore played in three games this season.

In other injury news, starting defensive end Da’Shawn Hand has been absent during the media viewing periods for all three of Alabama’s practices this week after missing last week’s game against Texas A&M. Hand left the game against Ole Miss two weeks ago after suffering an MCL strain. When asked about Hand’s status Wednesday, Saban said he was unsure of when the defensive lineman would return.

“I can’t really make that call, it’s a medical decision,” Saban said. “I know he’s doing well, all reports are positive. He won’t play in this game, and we’ll take it week-to-week from there.”

BamaInsider.com - Injury update: Alabama receives good news and bad news

 

[Alabama17Tide]

By Tony Tsoukalas

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — After spending a day on Tuesday, Alabama players moved outside Wednesday for their third practice in preparation for Saturday’s game against Arkansas. Players were dressed in full pads in sunny, 84-degree weather for the workout.

Here are some notes from the media viewing period:

— There was some early movement across the offensive line as Richie Petitbon took snaps at right guard with the first-team offensive line during individual drills. Lester Cotton was the right guard with the second unit but then later switched back with the first team during team workouts.

— Injured offensive lineman Brandon Kennedy (broken leg) was not at practice. J.C. Hassenauer took his spot at center with the second unit. Kennedy, a redshirt sophomore, is expected to be out for the season.

— Tony Brown (sprained knee) was back at practice for the first time the week. However, the senior defensive back appeared to be limited and was wearing a brace on his left knee.

— Alabama’s secondary worked out of the dime package during practice. Levi Wallace and Anthony Averett were the two cornerbacks, while Minkah Fitzpatrick took Brown’s typical spot at Star. Hootie Jones moved up as the Money, while Ronnie Harrison and Xavier McKinney were the two safeties. Keith Holcombe was the lone linebacker. Tony Brown was shadowing Fitzpatrick at Star but wasn’t moving too well when I saw him.

— Rashaan Evans and Joshua McMillon were both working with the outside linebackers during practice. Both players have the ability to play either inside or outside, so it will be interesting to see how they are used this week against Arkansas. The Razorbacks have struggled to protect the quarterback this season and are allowing 2.6 sacks per game.

— Injured defensive end Da’Shawn Hand (MCL) was not seen at practice and hasn’t been present during any of the team’s media viewing periods this week.

— Alabama’s first unit on defensive line consisted of Isaiah Buggs, Da’Ron Payne, Joshua Frazier and Raekwon Davis. LaBryan Ray, Phidarian Mathis, Johnny Dwight and Quinnen Williams were on the second unit.

Wednesday practice report (Arkansas week) | BamaInsider.com