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Could the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide get another star offensive player back in time for Friday’s meeting with Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff?
Alabama coach Nick Saban spoke to the media on Monday and was asked about star wide receive Jaylen Waddle, who fractured his ankle in a win over Tennessee on Oct. 24.
“Jaylen’s rehab is coming along,” Saban told the media, via Charlie Potter of 247Sports.
Saban certainly didn’t rule Waddle out, but he did say the dynamic wideout has yet to return to practice, although he is back to running.
He’s doing dry-land running, still working to try to get back. But he is making progress. We’re happy to see him be able to at least go out there and do some running and do some things, but he’s not back in practice yet.
Fellow receiver DeVonta Smith was so dominant this fall, it is sometimes easy to forget how good Waddle was before his injury.
The 5-foot-10 junior from Houston caught 25 passes for 557 yards and four touchdowns in just four games. He had over 100 yards receiving in each of the four games.
While Waddle will likely not return for Friday’s game against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff, the Crimson Tide aren’t ruling him out of the championship game on Jan. 11, if Alabama makes it that far.