Just like Nick Saban said, running back Kenyan Drake returned to the field Monday, less than two weeks after fracturing his arm in the Mississippi State game. Drake participated in footwork drills and gripped a football with his injured right arm. That same are housed a brace and was heavily wrapped. He is still, however, a long shot to play this weekend.
BOLIt appeared as if Kenyan Drake had a less-restrictive wrapping on his broken arm Tuesday compared to Monday. He was rotating in with Derrick Henry, Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough as they ran through plays with the first-team offensive line. Head trainer Jeff Allen was still watching closely as Drake practiced 10 days after breaking his arm at Mississippi State.
A brief run through light drills with his fellow running backs Wednesday was followed by Kenyan Drake working on his injured right arm with trainers.
Drake held a football in his right arm while trainers lightly hit the arm with a pad, testing Drake's ability to hold onto the ball with contact.
http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/i...s_nick_saban_previe_5.html#incart_river_index--Saban says players need to be more focused about the task at hand. Reiterates that it's a great rivalry that people dream about.
--He says players have to recognize possible Auburn trick plays and what could happen.
--Dominick Jackson and Minkah Fitzpatrick practiced all week and should be good to go against Auburn.
--Saban says Kenyan Drake is still day-to-day and could possibly play against Auburn, but isn't sure if he's done enough during practice. Said they are still evaluating his repaired right arm.
--Saban takes pride in assistant coaches going on to become head coaches. Said he really appreciates the job they did for him while at Alabama. Mario Cristobal, Lane Kiffin and Kirby Smart have all been rumored as head coaching candidates this year.
"We're kind of taking it day-to-day," Saban said. "We're doing a little bit more with him every day. He's certainly anxious to get back out there, but I don't know if he's done enough in practice. I always ask the player when we get to the game if he think he's capable of doing his job well, and I'll certainly have that conversation with him sometime between now and then."