LaBryan Ray Questionable for SEC Championship

LaBryan Ray, who didn't see the field against Arkansas last week in the Tide's 52-3 win, will be questionable for the upcoming bout with Florida in the SEC title game. Ray missed three games earlier this season after suffering a hyperextended elbow against Ole Miss, but returned for wins over Kentucky, Auburn, and LSU, playing in a reserve role.

Nick Saban on a zoom conference Thursday said, "He’s struggled a little bit with his elbow injury. It’s been kind of on-again, off-again. He’s probably questionable for the game.” Ray appears to have re-aggravated his previous injury, and if he does get to play Saturday will likely be used in a reserve role again.

A redshirt junior, Ray has shown promise in his time on the field, recording 62 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks over his career. Though he has shown flashes of an elite pass rusher, he has been sidelined most of his collegiate career with injuries.

The Huntsville, AL native has missed 21 games in his four years in Tuscaloosa. A former five-star athlete, Ray has the ability to be an excellent edge rusher for the Tide, and can provide even more depth on an already stacked defense if he can stay healthy. In Ray's absence; however, players like Christian Barmore and Phidarian Mathis have stepped up huge for the Tide and have Alabama's defensive front looking the best it has all season.

Alabama undoubtedly has it's hands full in it's upcoming game with the high powered offense of Florida and missing Ray will hurt, but if he can use this as an opportunity to get healthy for a potential playoff run, the defense can make do without him. Barmore and Mathis have been forces off the edge and should continue that level of play against a Florida team that has struggled to run the ball.