Alabama football is getting closer to the return of one of its defensive starters. According to Kalen DeBoer, speaking Wednesday on the SEC’s weekly coaches media teleconference, UA edge Qua Russaw’s condition is improving.
“We’re unsure at this point,” DeBoer said of whether Russaw might see the field on Saturday. “Probably in the questionable range right now, at this minute. But he’s coming along nicely. I know I said that a week ago, I would consider it at least on, if not ahead of schedule from what we originally thought. So he’s done a great job and he’s getting closer and closer, so just we’ll just see how he feels here the rest of the week.”
Russaw started three games and played in all four before he suffered an injury. He broke his foot in the Crimson Tide’s win over Georgia and hasn’t played since.
DeBoer and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack had said that Russaw was getting closer to return before Alabama faced LSU on Saturday. He wound up not playing in the game.
So far this year, Russaw has notched four total tackles. He got a sack against Wisconsin as well.
In Russaw’s place, Yhonzae Pierre has been excellent in recent weeks. Pierre has 31 tackles and six sacks so far, along with three forced fumbles, including the one that iced Alabama’s win over LSU.
“When you just do your job consistently at a high level, you’re going to create more production for yourself,” Wommack said earlier in November. “It’s fun to watch Yhonzae and the maturity, how he has grown over the last year and a half, two years here I’ve spent with him. He’s got a very impressive skill set. You watch a guy, when they do their job more consistently and they’re rewarded through production, there’s a confidence you start seeing a player play with, and I think you’re seeing that from Yhonzae right now in terms of the confidence he is starting to play with.”
Russaw’s official status will be revealed Wednesday evening when the SEC releases its first availability report of the week. Alabama and Oklahoma are scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday in Tuscaloosa.
The game will be aired on ABC.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
