Saban provides lengthy injury report heading into Iron Bowl week
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The fight for the SEC West might include a few more key weapons for Alabama. Heading into this week’s Iron Bowl, head coach Nick Saban provided a lengthy injury report, including updates on injured linebackers Christian Miller (bicep), Terrell Lewis (elbow) and Mack Wilson (foot), all of whom could be back this week.
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“Terrell Lewis and Christian Miller are in the functional phase and are not cleared medically to play. Mack Wilson has not practiced yet and has not been medically cleared to play,” Saban said. “So whatever’s out there, I’ll give you the facts from here. I’m not saying that those guys are out for the game and I’m not able to say whether they’ll be able play in the game.”
Saban also said that injured defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring) will practice, while kicker Andy Pappanastos will be “day-to-day” after being held out of last week’s game with a “little bit of a pull.”
Starting left guard Ross Pierschbacher was also held out of Saturday’s game with a high-ankle sprain. He was replaced by J.C. Hassenauer who earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week, grading out at 91 percent and not allowing a sack against Mercer. Saban said Pierschbacher is also “day-to-day.”
“He’s not medically cleared to practice yet, maybe sometime later in the week he will,” Saban said. “We’ll just have to see how he does.”
All six players would be much-welcomed additions as Alabama travels to Auburn on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS. The winner of the game will clinch the division title and earn a trip to Atlanta to play Georgia in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 2.
Miller and Lewis suffered what were thought at the time to be season-ending injuries during Alabama’s season-opening victory against Florida State. Miller suffered a torn bicep, while Lewis tore a ligament in his elbow. Wilson suffered a broken foot during the game against LSU on Nov. 4.
Despite holding Mercer to just 161 total yards last week, Alabama did not record a sack against the Bears. After leading the nation in sacks the past two seasons, the Crimson Tide ranks tied for No. 19 in the nation this year with 30 sacks through 11 games. Of those, only one of them has been recorded by an outside linebacker — Jamey Mosley was credited with a sack when he ran Fresno State quarterback Chason Virgil out of bounds during the second week of the season.
If any of the linebackers are able to return for this week’s game, it could greatly impact Alabama’s ability to an expose and Auburn offense that is tied for No. 88 in the nation in sacks allowed this season. The Tigers have given up 26 sacks over 11 games, an average 2.36 per contest.