Written by Ell | 20 June 2008

Bama's voluntary off-season workouts are heavily underway, and the severity of the workouts is beginning to take its tole on some Tide players.

• As was noted yesterday DB Lionel Mitchell has been given a medical hardship scholarship due to a back injury that kept him out during the spring. It has failed to improve, effectively ending his collegiate career.
• WR Will Oakley suffered a broken foot during a workout, and has already had surgery. While Nick Saban has said that Will should be back, he has mentioned the fact that the Tide is just over 1 months from beginning fall camp, and that things could be "tight" for the Senior in terms of making it back in time.
• Incoming freshman offensive lineman Tyler Love has suffered a minor stress fracture in one of his legs (not sure which one). The injury is expected to keep him out 3-5 week and could potentially hinder his opportunity to earn early playing time at right tackle.
• Kareem Jackson & Charlie Higgenbotham have both had surgery to repair "minor" sports hernias. Unheard of prior to 3 years ago, this is the new injury that seems to be reeking havoc on athletes at the moments. It is basically slight tear in the muscles of the lower abdomen. With former Tide running back Kenneth Darby, this injury made him a shell of his former playing self, hindering some of his Junior season, and nearly all of his Senior season. They are not all serious, however, as returning starter Terry Grant had surgery immediately following the season and was cleared for participation in spring drills. Both guys should be fine as far as being ready for the Clemson game, though they could both miss some time early in fall camp.
• Still no news on Zeke Knight. I said in yesterdays scholarship numbers post that no news was not necessarily good news for Zeke, but that is not always the case. In a press conference where Nick Saban announced the removal of Lionel Mitchell from active status, and announced 3 other surgeries, the fact that Zeke is still publicly a part of the Alabama football team is good news. I'm still not getting my hopes up that he will be cleared to play, but until an official announcement is made otherwise, there is still a chance.

< Prev		Next >