NOTES: Stewart springs from jet sweep; injury update

The jet sweep has become a signature play of the University of Alabama offense in recent years. A wide receiver goes in motion before the play. The quarterback, lined up in shotgun, takes the snap at about the time the receiver runs behind the offensive tackle, then flips the ball forward.

The receiver already has momentum built up from his pre-snap motion and carries on in that direction, turning upfield when he finds a hole. It was the first play Alabama ran against Mississippi State on Saturday, when ArDarius Stewart picked up a first down by running around the left side and reaching the sideline.

It’s a modest play much of the time. But it can do much more when well-executed. Stewart turned another jet sweep into a 67-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, zigging through Bulldog defenders untouched for the score.

“When I looked back at it on the field, I saw the angles (the MSU defenders had) but I really didn’t pay attention to it on the field,” Stewart said. “I was just running to the end zone and trying to get there as fast as I could. I guess it worked out.”

It worked out on more than just that play for Alabama. The jet sweep creates issues for defenses by forcing them to respect a receiver who could be flying around the edge of the offensive line.

Stewart came in motion behind the line on a play midway through the second quarter and mimicked his action earlier in the day, but quarterback Jalen Hurts handed off to running back Josh Jacobs. Three defenders ran to stop Stewart to the left; Jacobs followed two blockers who pulled to break a 43-yard run.

“It’s opened it up a lot because you never know if we’re going to pass or run it out of that set,” Stewart said. “Lane Kiffin’s done a great job of mixing it up and trying to keep the defenses on their toes.”

It’s a fun play for Stewart and the receivers, who get to act almost like running backs. It’s also a low-risk play. If a receiver drops the ball as Hurts delivers, it’s an incompletion rather than a fumble.

But it does require patience. Not every play call will be a big break. It’s a matter of hoping the defense bites in the wrong place.

“You have to keep speaking to yourself saying press the block and don’t be too fast because you tend to run too fast on it and overrun your block,” Stewart said. “You’ve got to be patient and let the hole develop, and it will open up.”

Injury update

Senior guard Alphonse “Shank” Taylor may be done for the year, UA coach Nick Saban said. Taylor hasn’t played since sustaining a concussion at Arkansas on Oct. 8 and has not been seen during the viewing period at practice in recent weeks.

“I am not assuming that he's going to come back,” Saban said. “It would be a bonus if he did.”

Sophomore running back Bo Scarbrough has been cleared to play after sustaining a knee sprain. He’s working on improving his conditioning and confidence in practice before returning to game action, Saban said.

Players of the week

Center Bradley Bozeman, tight end O.J. Howard, quarterback Jalen Hurts and right tackle Jonah Williams were offensive players of the week as named by the UA coaching staff.

Outside linebacker Ryan Anderson and defensive linemen Da’Ron Payne and Dalvin Tomlinson were named defensive players of the week.

Howard was also one of eight semifinalists for the John Mackey Award on Monday. It is given annually to the nation’s most outstanding tight end. Hurts was also named co-offensive player of the week by the SEC.

Punter JK Scott was not among 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation’s best punter. Guy is second nationally among qualifying players with 48.4 yards per punt.

Reach Ben Jones at ben@tidesports.com or 205-722-0196.