re: Spring Practice News/Discussion Thread

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama football opened spring practice on Tuesday with its first of 15 workouts.

The Crimson Tide took the field in shorts and helmets as the team works toward its A-Day spring game on April 22.

There are a lot of moving parts on the first date, but here’s what we saw.

Injury updates

-Linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton (right knee) worked off to the side with head athletic trainer Jeff Allen. Hamilton injured his knee in the SEC Championship Game. He is expected to be ready for the season.

-Running back Bo Scarbrough (leg) wore a black, non-contact jersey, but he worked with his position group.

-Same goes for running back B.J. Emmons (foot). He worked with his position group, but wore a black jersey.

-Safety Jared Mayden rode a stationary bike and wore a black jersey.

What we saw

-After closing the season at safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick lined up with the cornerbacks on Tuesday. Fitzpatrick’s versatility is a huge bonus for Alabama with Marlon Humphrey leaving school early. Fitzpatrick lined up next to returning starter Anthony Averett. Ronnie Harrison and Hootie Jones were the top two safeties. Add in Tony Brown as the nickel defensive back, and Alabama has a very experienced secondary.

-Rising sophomore Trevon Diggs worked with the secondary on Tuesday. He played both safety and wide receiver last year, but finished the year as a receiver and punt returner.

-Former 5-star linebacker Ben Davis lined up with the outside linebacker on Tuesday. Davis, who redshirted last year, spent all of last season working with the inside linebackers. This could be one of those early experiments, but Alabama does have a good bit of depth at inside linebacker.

-With Shaun Dion Hamilton sidelined, Rashaan Evans led the inside linebackers through drills followed by Keith Holcombe. Evans could have a big senior year if he’s able to stay healthy.

-In your “he’s to big to be a freshman” update, January enrollee Dylan Moses is a large young man. He worked with the inside linebackers.

-Shawn Jennings, the younger brother of outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings, is working with the inside linebackers. The younger Jennings was hurt most of last season.

-New Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne watched practice.

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