Prior to Saturday’s game against Charleston Southern, only two Alabama key players had officially been ruled out.

Another, as it was revealed on the opening play of scrimmage, against the Buccaneers, a third also didn’t play at all in his usual role.

Senior right tackle Dominick Jackson dressed out but did not start or play in his usual right tackle position. Instead, redshirt junior Korren Kirven started his place.

Alabama coach Nick Saban said it was because Jackson was limited in practice this week due to a high ankle sprain suffered against Tennessee. Jackson, a former junior college transfer, started against LSU and Mississippi State in each of the previous two weeks.

“He struggled to practice as much as we felt like he needed to," Saban said. "So we just felt like it would be better if we not play him today and hopefully have a chance to get him healthy for next week."

Kirven received the start over junior Brandon Greene, who Saban had said at one point was Jackson’s backup. Greene, who also splits time at tight end, saw time at right tackle when Alabama began pulling starters.

Kirven, from Lynchburg, Virginia, made the move to offensive line in the spring.

"I thought Korren did a really good job," Saban said. "He has developed very nicely at tackle, and we had enough confidence to play him at tackle and leave Brandon to play some tight end for us."

Earlier in the week, Saban announced that running back Kenyan Drake (arm) and defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) would not play due to injury.

Alabama defeated Charleston Southern, 56-6.

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