Tide lose LB Allen for season

Alabama sophomore outside linebacker Chris Allen suffered a knee injury and is expected to miss the season, coach Nick Saban said after Saturday’s scrimmage. Allen had not been seen during the viewing period at the beginning of practice Friday or Saturday.

“Chris Allen, surgical knee injury,” Saban said. “He’s probably out for the season. So that’s unfortunate that we have two of those now at the same position, both guys that have made a contribution to our team. We don’t have enough depth, especially on defense, to be able to afford to lose those kind of players.”

Allen played in seven games as a freshman for Alabama, finishing with six tackles, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble. He had been working with the second-team defense during fall camp and was expected to see plenty of playing time.

Alabama previously lost outside linebacker Terrell Lewis to an ACL injury during the summer. The Crimson Tide still returns junior Anfernee Jennings and senior Christian Miller but is limited in experience behind those two players.

“We basically have Anfernee and Christian Miller, who have been starters around here,” Saban said. “Past that, we have Ben Davis and two freshmen. That’s basically what we have. If we had more inside linebackers, Josh McMillon could play the position, but I’m not sure we could afford to move him. So we’re very thin at those two positions right now.”

Junior outside linebacker Jamey Mosley, who also played last year, didn’t participate in Saturday’s scrimmage as he continues to recover from a separated shoulder. He is expected to return to practice in time for the season opener Sept. 1, Saban said.

This is the second straight year that Alabama’s outside linebackers have suffered significant injuries early in the season. Miller, Jennings and Lewis all were injured in the season opener in 2017. Jennings returned after two games but missed the national championship with a knee injury. Miller and Lewis did not return until the final game of the regular season.

Saban also confirmed Saturday that redshirt junior offensive tackle Matt Womack reinjured his foot. He’s expected to miss up to six weeks. Sophomore safety Daniel Wright (shoulder) participated in the scrimmage in a black noncontact jersey.