The Alabama Crimson Tide opened up spring practice today to kick off the start of the 2021 season. Alabama head coach Nick Saban met with the media to set the table for spring practice and frame the outlook for the Tide as the program efforts to defend its 2020 national championship.

Saban revealed that several veteran members of the Crimson Tide football program are were unable to practice today and appear unlikely to participate in the majority of spring practice. Offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor and Pierce Quick, defensive lineman Phil Mathis and safety Malachi Moore along with wide receiver John Metchie III are still recovering from ailments sustained in the 2020 season.

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"They're not really expected to participate a whole lot in spring practice from previous injuries that they had, things that needed to be fixed probably from the season. In some cases the guys couldn't finish the season, so we want to focus on getting these guys well," said Saban. "A lot of these guys have played a lot of good football around here and they really don't have anything to prove here in the spring, so better for us if we can give more reps to somebody else and let them develop."

Saban further illuminated the media on fan-favorite running back, sophomore Trey Sanders.

"Trey Sanders is actually doing some work. He does some individual work he's making really good progress, he can dry land run now. He's not 100% but he's getting there and we're very happy with the progress. He's had a tough [row] to hoe and he's had a great attitude about it and he's worked hard and we're really pleased."

Sanders sustained a major hip injury in a car accident in Florida in November and his status for the upcoming season is unknown.

The Crimson Tide hopes to have its roster fully healthy as the program enters the new season but the program will have to wait a bit longer on some of its players.

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