On Monday, Nick Saban had an encouraging update on Will Anderson, Alabama’s star outside linebacker who injured his leg in the Crimson Tide’s win over Mercer last weekend. With a huge SEC game against the Florida Gators coming up, Alabama fans certainly hope the preseason All-SEC linebacker will be able to play.
“Will Anderson has been very encouraging,” Saban said. “He’ll probably take a day off today, is kind of day-to-day. But we feel a little more encouraged than maybe after the game. We’ll just see how he progresses through the course of the week.”
Wednesday, Saban met with the media again and had some new updates on Anderson’s availability. While he didn’t commit to the freshman playing on Saturday, he did seem optimistic that the linebacker will be ready to go by then.
Nick Saban on Will Anderson: “Will did practice yesterday. We’re taking it by day by day. If he continues to make improvement through the rest of the week, he certainly could play in the game."
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) September 15, 2021
“We’re taking it day by day,” Saban said on the SEC media teleconference. “If he continues to make improvement throughout the rest of the week, he certainly could play in the game.”
If Anderson isn’t able to play, Saban seems to have a lot of confidence in Chris Bras well and Dallas Turner as replacements ready to step up.
Saban pointed to Chris Braswell and Dallas Turner in responding to a question about who would play in place of Anderson if he can’t play.
“We’re certainly confident that they can go in and do a good job for us."
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) September 15, 2021
“Those two guys are two very unique players,” Saban said of Allen and Anderson. “I’m not sure you really replace them but these other guys are capable. They’re young guys who don’t have the same amount of experience but we’re certainly confident they can go in and do a good job for us.”
Given how much many college football fans are looking at this game as a chance for a major upset, including former Florida coach Steve Spurrier, you better believe Nick Saban is going to want his very best players ready to go this weekend.
[AL.com]