Saban gives injury updates on Alabama starters as Rose Bowl practice begins

On Saturday, Alabama football held its first practice ahead of the Rose Bowl and one of its two previously injured starters was present.

Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban confirmed defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (concussion) had cleared protocol and is “fine” as No. 4 UA (12-1, 8-0 SEC) continued to prep for No. 1 Michigan and the College Football Playoff Semifinal.

Senior running back Jase McClellan, however, had yet to return to the field after a sprained ankle suffered in the Iron Bowl.

“(McClellan) is getting better,” Saban said. “I think it’s probably still too early to tell. He’s getting ready to do dry-land running and some things. He’ll progress through the rest of the week and see where he lands.”

McClellan is Alabama’s leading rusher with 803 yards. He’s also added six touchdowns on the ground. He missed UA’s last game with an ankle sprain aggravated on Nov. 25 against Auburn. McClellan went through pregame warmups in Mercedes-Benz Stadium but was quickly back in street clothes after kickoff.

Roydell Williams and Jam Miller split the carries in the backfield, along with Milroe, as McClellan cheered from the sidelines. Williams and Miller combine to average just over 57 yards per game compared to McClellan’s 61.8 yards per game.

Practice is closed to media and the public, but McKinstry was spotted going through drills in footage released by the team.

McKinstry, named to two All-American lists by various outlets, exited the third quarter of Alabama’s SEC Championship win against Georgia on Dec. 2. Saban said McKinstry entered concussion protocol, but the star defensive back took part in the postgame celebration, making his way onto the stage for the trophy presentation and helping DJ the locker room party.

To replace McKinstry, Alabama subbed in Trey Amos as a boundary cornerback. Kristian Story also earned some more reps in UA’s nickel defense. After allowing a touchdown on Georgia’s first possession, Alabama stymied the Bulldogs for a majority the 27-24 win.

The Wolverines heard some good news on Sunday night. Will Johnson, an All-Big Ten consensus first-team defensive back, confirmed to The Michigan Insider that he will “for sure” be on the field in Pasadena after missing Michigan’s Big 10 Championship rout of Iowa.

Alabama and Michigan will play in ‘The Granddaddy of Them All’ on Jan. 1 at 4 p.m. CT.