Older Kouandjio could be out for year

TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama offensive lineman Arie Kouandjio may require knee surgery that would put him out for the season, UA coach Nick Saban said Monday, while two other injured players will return to practice this week.

Kouandjio has been bothered by patellar tendon pain this year while competing as a reserve at right tackle.

"I think Arie may be out indefinitely and may even be a guy that needs to have surgery," Saban said. "So he could possibly be out for the year."

Linebacker C.J. Mosley and running back Eddie Lacy will return to practice this week. Both missed Alabama's 34-0 win over Vanderbilt.

"C.J. Mosley will start back practicing (Monday), Eddie probably (Tuesday)," Saban said. "Chris Jordan, we'll try again and see what happens."

Jordan, a reserve linebacker, has not played this season due to back pain. Jordan's back underwent testing last week.

Mosley injured his elbow in Alabama's win over Arkansas and has not played since, a span of two-plus games and 11 quarters. Lacy injured his foot in the same game, but played sparingly against Florida before missing the Vanderbilt game.

UA linebacker Nico Johnson, who was one of several players who have filled in for Mosley in his absence, said the sophomore's return will represent a return to normalcy.

"It will mean a lot. C.J. is a good player and he has a lot of spots that he's responsible for - a lot of roles in the defense," Johnson said. "So it will pretty much get back to normal."

Change of pace

Ole Miss has turned to Randall Mackey at the quarterback position in its search for more offense, replacing Zack Stoudt. The difference for Alabama's defensive preparations? Mackey is a serious running threat, while Stoudt is more of a pocket passer.

"Randall Mackey was the quarterback in the last game, which is a different style than what they had before," Saban said, "and they seem to have played pretty well from that standpoint."

Mackey threw for 214 yards in a win over Fresno State two weeks ago, and added 35 rushing yards on five carries. Stoudt struggled during the team's 1-3 start, completing just over 50 percent of his passes with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 2-6.

Ole Miss was idle last week.

Did you know?

While Ole Miss typically has a strong contingent of Alabama natives on its roster, this year the Rebels are not expected to start one player from the Heart of Dixie on Saturday when Ole Miss plays host to the Crimson Tide. Rebels linebacker D.T. Shackelford, of Decatur, would have been one were he not recovering from a knee injury.

Quotable

"I saw him dancing a couple days ago, so I knew he'd be back." - Trent Richardson on fellow running back Eddie Lacy, who is returning from a foot injury.

Tidebits

The UA coaching staff named seven players as top performers from a 34-0 win over Vanderbilt. Tight ends Brad Smelley and Michael Williams were chosen on offense along with receiver Marquis Maze; safety Mark Barron and linebacker Dont'a Hightower were chosen on defense; kicker Cade Foster and cornerback DeQuan Menzie were selected for their special teams play. ... Alabama's home game against Tennessee on Oct. 22 will kick off at 6:15 p.m. and will be broadcast on either ESPN or ESPN2.

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Reach Chase Goodbread at chase.goodbread@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0196.