Miami quarterback D'Eriq King (1) is sacked by Alabama's Phidarian Mathis (48), Will Anderson Jr. (31) and Malachi Moore (13) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
The Associated Press
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Top-ranked Alabama is hoping to get three starting defenders back from injury in time for its road game at No. 11 Florida.
Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said Monday that the news on preseason All-America linebacker Will Anderson Jr. was 'œvery encouraging'ť two days after he went down with a right knee injury against Mercer.
Saban described him as 'œkind of day to day'ť and didn't expect Anderson to practice Monday.
'œBut we feel a little more encouraged than maybe after the game,'ť the coach said. 'œSo we'll just see how he progresses through the course of the week.'ť
Cornerbacks Josh Jobe and Jalyn Armour-Davis both missed that game with undisclosed injuries. Saban expected them to practice Monday.
'œWe'll kind of see where they are in practice and how they develop through the course of the week,'ť Saban said.
Alabama plays at Florida on Saturday.
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FILE - Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (92) and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) celebrate after a missed Notre Dame field goal attempt in the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, in this Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, file photo. Anderson was selected to The Associated Press Preseason All-America first team defense, Monday Aug. 23, 2021.(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Dec. 19, 2020, file photo, Alabama defensive back Josh Jobe (28) breaks up a pass intended for Florida wide receiver Jacob Copeland (15) during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game in Atlanta. Jobe, a senior from Miami, enters the season as the Tide's No. 1 corner but with work to do to become the seventh Alabama cornerback taken in the first round during Nick Saban's 15 seasons as coach. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
The Associated Press