UPDATE: WR Kenny Bell to return Wednesday
Fifth-year senior wide receiver Kenny Bell caused a stir on social media Tuesday when he said he was leaving the Alabama football team only to reverse course a few hours later.
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But coach Nick Saban said that he gave Bell a personal day and he is expected to return to the team on Wednesday.
"He's a fifth-year senior, he did a great job in this program, he's played a lot of good football for us, he's made a lot of big plays, he's been a good teammate to a lot of guys on the team and certainly somebody that I have a tremendous amount of respect for," Saban said. "He's a competitor, and sometimes we have personal things that we need to get ironed out, and he did that.
"There's really nothing else to talk about when it comes to that."
The official word comes hours after Bell announced his intention to leave the team via Twitter.
In a series of six tweets he wrote, "..I've been through so much I finally can say I'm happy..I know I'm going to lose so many friends and followers and get more negative talk from people but truth is I Dnt (sic) care..it's been a nice run but I'm hanging up my cleats..time too (sic) focus on my responsibilities my kids..I've made so many memories here at Alabama but some things you gotta let go..Salute to the team y'all keep grinding and win that championship."
Bell caught 17 passes for 431 yards and three touchdowns in 2012 and compiled 36 career receptions for 712 yards and five touchdowns. He did not catch a pass against Virginia Tech, although he was targeted once.
Wide receiver is perhaps the deepest position unit with a bevy of talented athletes on the roster, including Amari Cooper, Kevin Norwood, DeAndrew White, Christion Jones, Chris Black, Raheem Falkins, Robert Foster and ArDarius Stewart.
Bell received his degree in December.
I'm back with the team!! Just needed time to myself for a day but I couldn't leave my boy @10AJMcCarron we ended this run together. #16- Kenny bell (@TheKennyBell7) September 4, 2013
..it's been a nice run but I'm hanging up my cleats- Kenny bell (@TheKennyBell7) September 3, 2013