One of the few things that will leave a sour taste in Alabama football fans’ mouths after Saturday night is the team’s injury report.
The Crimson Tide posted their best overall performance of the year with a 42-28 victory over LSU. Jalen Milroe outplayed a Heisman Award contender and the defense shut down the best offense in the country. But by the fourth quarter, some of Alabama’s key players had taken off their pads and were watching the injured from the sideline while their teammates passed the ball.
Defensive back and UAB transfer Jaylen Key left the game in the first quarter with a quadriceps injury after falling to the ground while attempting to block a deep pass. Interior defender Deontae Lawson had his left leg in a walking boot after being sacked by LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels near the UA sideline in the third quarter. Wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks was spotted on the bench with his left arm in a sling.
Alabama (8-1, 6-0 Southeastern Conference) head coach Nick Saban was asked about Key and Lawson after the game.
“I don’t know how bad the injuries are until they do MRIs and all that stuff,” Saban said, “That’s all I can tell you.”
The Tide used more of Trey Amos and Kristian Story after Key left. Star defender Malachi Moore appeared to show more confidence in the second half, pushing boundary cornerback Terrion Arnold inside to take over the nickel cornerback role. Jihaad Campbell represented Lawson for the most part, as did Trezmen Marshall. Brooks has been primarily a special teams player this fall.
Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels, who averaged 47.4 points per game with LSU, was limited to 219 yards on 15 of 24. He also ran the ball for 163 yards on 11 attempts and a total of three touchdowns, a career high. Overall, LSU totaled 478 yards of offense and ended a streak of seven straight games with 500 yards of offense.
“This group of boys have shown tremendous resilience and continued to work to improve. I think they trust the coaches and respect what we do to make them better players,” Saban said. “…We just have to try to carry on like this. We signed a lot of guys today, hopefully this is an opportunity for someone else to step up.”
Alabama travels to Kentucky next week for an 11 a.m. kickoff with a chance to book a trip to the upcoming SEC Championship.
Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].