re: Official In-Season Practice, Injury Reports and Press Conferences Thread: 12-0

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama returned to the practice field on Tuesday to continue preparing for LSU.

No. 1 Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC) travels to Baton Rouge, La., on Saturday for an SEC West clash against No. 15 LSU (5-2, 3-1). Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

What we saw

-We saw Minkah Fitzpatrick working at safety in Alabama’s nickel and dime packages for the first time on Tuesday. Fitzpatrick manned one of the safety positions with the first-team defense in both sets. Fitzpatrick’s versatility allows Alabama to use him all over the field in the secondary.

-With Fitzpatrick at safety, Tony Brown stepped in at star (fifth defensive back) in the nickel and dime packages with the first-team defense. That’s big because it means the coaching staff trusts Brown to execute his assignments.

-With Fitzpatrick at safety and Brown at star, the rest of the nickel group had Anthony Averett and Marlon Humphrey on the corners with Ronnie Harrison at the other safety spot. Reuben Foster and Shaun Dion Hamilton were the two inside linebackers.

-In dime, Harrison moved down to money (sixth defensive back) and Hootie Jones came on as the other safety opposite Fitzpatrick. Brown remained at star, and Averett and Humphrey were the cornerbacks. Foster was the lone inside linebacker.

-There was no sign of right guard Alphonse Taylor. Alabama coach Nick Saban listed Taylor as day-to-day on Monday. He has missed the last two games.

-Lester Cotton lined up at right guard with the first-team offensive line. Barring something unforeseen, Cotton should get the start on Saturday. The rest of the first group had Cam Robinson at left tackle, Bradley Bozeman at center, Ross Pierschbacher at left guard and Jonah Williams at right tackle.

-There was some rotating at right guard with the second group. We saw both Brandon Kennedy and Joshua Casher get some reps there. The rest of the second group had Korren Kirven at right tackle, J.C. Hassenauer at center, Dallas Warmack at left guard and Matt Womack at left tackle.

-There was no sign of freshman running back B.J. Emmons.

-Wide receiver Raheem Falkins appeared to tweak his hamstring while running a route. Falkins limped off the field and talked to the training staff for the rest of the viewing period.

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