Alabama starting linebacker Trey DePriest suspended by coach Nick Saban

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Alabama starting linebacker Trey DePriest has been suspended by Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban.

For a scrimmage.

Delivering a punishment that could be very brief but punishment nonetheless, Saban sidelined the 6-foot-2, 245-pound junior for an undisclosed violation of team rules. DePriest finished second on last season's BCS title team with 59 tackles.

"He will be eligible to return to the team if he does what he's supposed to do in relatively short order," Saban said. "If he does those things, he'll be back with us as soon as a week."

DePriest will, at a minimum, miss today's final two-a-day session as well as Thursday and Friday practices that will lead into Saturday's second scrimmage.

When asked if he was frustrated having to suspend a veteran player, Saban said, "I don't like suspending players. If we're going to suspend any player, it's going to be in their best interest to change their behavior."

DePriest went on suspension as reserve tight end Malcolm Faciane came off his 30-day suspension and went through his first practice.

Alabama held a two-hour practice Tuesday, its 14th workout of the month. Sophomore receiver Amari Cooper, who had three touchdowns in last Saturday's scrimmage, is out with a foot sprain and is expected to miss a few more practices before being listed day-to-day.

Senior cornerback Deion Belue, who missed the first scrimmage with a hamstring pull, is able to do a little more work each day, Saban said.

The Crimson Tide's offensive line has experienced a switch of redshirt juniors in recent workouts, with Arie Kouandjio moving from left guard to right tackle and Austin Shepherd going from right tackle to left guard. Kouandjio came to Alabama as a tackle but moved inside when a knee injury reduced his mobility, but Saban said the 6-5, 315-pounder has regained that mobility.

Saban added that Shepherd has proven to be a good tackle and guard.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

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