UA NOTEBOOK: Jones, Upchurch miss third practice

TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama coach Nick Saban said wide receiver Julio Jones and running back Roy Upchurch, both of whom were injured in Saturday’s 40-14 win over Florida International, were withheld from contact for the third consecutive practice on Wednesday, and their availability for Saturday’s game against North Texas could hinge on their status today.

“They really didn’t do a whole lot except rehab, run around a little bit. If those guys can’t practice (today), then they probably won’t play in the game,” Saban said. “I’m not saying we have a hard, fast rule that if a guy doesn’t practice on Thursday, he doesn’t play in a game, but it’s a pretty good rule of thumb that if a guy has been out and he’s not back by Thursday’s practice that he’s probably not going to be ready to play in the game.”

Jones and Upchurch were both injured in the first quarter against FIU and did not play again, with Jones suffering a knee bruise and Upchurch a high ankle sprain. Saban indicated previously that Upchurch’s return is less certain than that of Jones. On Wednesday, the coach also said a player’s ability to return from injury isn’t just about his readiness physically.

“Even if he is physically ready to play in the game because he’s not practiced all week, he’s probably not really prepared to play in the game like he needs to be,” Saban said.

The absence of two of Alabama’s top offensive players opened the way for key performances Saturday by others. Senior wide receiver Mike McCoy recorded a career-high 100 receiving yards, making five receptions and a 24-yard touchdown.

Upchurch’s injury allowed more playing time for freshman running back Trent Richardson, who responded with 118 yards on 15 carries and a pair of touchdowns.

Bowman makes move

Although Kevin Norwood was the freshman wide receiver to impact UA’s preseason scrimmages, another freshman receiver, Michael Bowman, saw some game action against Florida International.

Saban said Bowman got off to a slower start in the preseason in part because he arrived for summer school later than most of the freshmen, who enrolled in June.

“When we started scout team for the first time, about Wednesday or Thursday the week before the Virginia Tech game, he went down on the scout team and just tore it up,” Saban said. “I’m talking about us, the defense. I said, ‘Where has this guy been?’ I talked to him about it, and if he was committed to continue to do that we would give him another chance to try to contribute to the offense. Certainly playing that way, he would be one of our best six or seven receivers.”

Bowman has yet to make his first reception.

Deaderick on mend

Defensive end Brandon Deaderick, shot in the arm the week prior to the Sept. 5 game against Virginia Tech, said he should be able to shed the protective sleeve on his arm in the next two to three weeks.

Deaderick was shot but not seriously injured in a robbery attempt outside the Rivermont Apartments off Rice Mine Road. Deaderick said he is not concerned about the search for his assailant.

“I haven’t talked to (the police) in a while,” Deaderick said. “If they find him, they find him. If not, it’s ‘whatever.’ I hope they find him, but it doesn’t really affect me that much.”

Deaderick said keeping the wound clean, which requires alcohol two to three times a day, “is more painful than the shot itself.”

Tide-Bits

Freshman wide receiver Kenny Bell was also non-contact for Wednesday’s practice. Bell missed much of the preseason with shin splints, though Saban has yet to confirm whether Bell’s latest setback is for the same cause. ... Ineligible linebacker Jerrell Harris has been in a scout team jersey this week, wearing No. 42, the number worn by North Texas linebacker Craig Robertson. … UA finished practice indoors Wednesday due to lightning strikes in the Tuscaloosa area.

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