Lester Cotton, a junior right guard, went down with an apparent leg injury during Alabama’s Sugar Bowl semifinal game against Clemson. The nature of Cotton’s injury hasn’t been disclosed, but he was seen on crutches after the game. Brent Key, UA’s offensive line coach, said Saturday that he expects the Central High School graduate to be back for spring practice.
“For sure,” Key said. “No question.
“He’s doing well, (in) good spirits. His last game he ended up leaving the game and lucky it wasn’t worse than it was. It was an injury and he was playing really good the last couple of games.”
Cotton started all 13 games for Alabama before the injury.
Senior J.C. Hassenauer entered in Cotton’s place and is expected to start against Georgia.
“All the backups are locked into the game,” Hassenauer said. “We’re usually watching the position that you’re behind so that when you see a guy go down you’re kind of prepared to go in.
“When I saw that, I was kind of like, ‘Oh, that’s not good,’ but it’s a next-man-up mentality. I don’t wish that to ever happen to anyone – your worst enemy, it’s always horrible. Lester is a good friend. I have great respect for him. He’s a great player. He’s doing good. He’s been around.”
