You couldn’t see the X-factor at Alabama’s Tuesday football practice, but you could definitely feel it.
With temperatures in the high 90’s and a heat index hovering around 110, the Crimson Tide spent most of its practice in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility preparing for what will mercifully be an indoor season opener against Duke.
There was some good injury news as junior tackle Matt Womack was back at practice after missing three days with an undisclosed injury. Freshman offensive line Pierce Quick, who did not participate in last Saturday’s scrimmage, continued to be out with an ankle injury.
Freshman defensive tackle DJ Dale also remained out of practice with what head coach Nick Saban described on Saturday as a knee sprain. Saban is expected to update the team’s injury situation following the Crimson Tide’s Thursday practice.
Veteran UA play-by-play announcer Eli Gold was present at practice on Tuesday.
Also, UA basketball/baseball play-by-play announcer Chris Stewart, who also has pregame and postgame duties in the Crimson Tide football broadcasts, sent a positive message on social media Tuesday night, just hours after undergoing heart bypass surgery in Birmingham.
“Doing great,” Stewart said via Twitter. “Will update as I can. Thanks for the prayers.”
Crimson Tide sophomore wide receiver Jaylen Waddle was tabbed as one of 42 players on the 2019 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list.
The Houston, Texas, native averaged 18.8 yards per catch (45 receptions for 848 yards) and scored seven touchdowns last season. He led all SEC first-year receivers in receptions per game (3.1) and receiving yards per game (56.5) and saw 30 of his catches result in an Alabama first down or touchdown.
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award is presented to the top offensive player in NCAA Division I football who “exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity.” Nominees must either be born in Texas and/or graduated from a Texas high school and or played at a Texas-based junior college or four-year college.
Reach Cecil Hurt at cecil@tidesports.com or via Twitter @cecilhurt
