Alabama's season of the injured linebacker will continue right through the Crimson Tide's final performance.
Redshirt sophomore outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings suffered a knee injury in Monday night's Sugar Bowl win over Clemson that will cause him to miss this Monday's national championship showdown against Georgia in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The 6-foot-3, 262-pounder made the announcement Wednesday on social media.
"Surgery was a success," Jennings said. "I still have to wait and see what the next MRI will determine Friday. Unfortunately, I've played my last game this season, but I will be back stronger than ever next season, because I know that God makes no mistakes."
Jennings was injured in the fourth quarter of what was arguably his finest game. He tallied five tackles and a career-best three tackles for loss on a defense that limited Clemson to 188 yards and two field goals, with one of the field goals resulting from a turnover.
In 11 games this season, Jennings tallied 41 tackles, six tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
Jennings sustained a sprained ankle and was among the four Alabama linebackers who had to leave the 24-7 opening triumph over Florida State inside Mercedes-Benz. He and senior inside linebacker Rashaan Evans (groin) only had to miss two games, but redshirt junior outside linebacker Christian Miller (torn biceps) and sophomore outside linebacker Terrell Lewis (torn elbow ligament) did not return until the Auburn game Nov. 25.
"We have Christian and Terrell Lewis, and Jamey Mosley has played before," Alabama coach Nick Saban said Tuesday afternoon when asked about the potential of Jennings not being available. "Some of the guys who had to play when the other guys were out got some valuable experience, so that's where we would go."
Alabama is already without two inside linebackers for Monday, senior Shaun Dion Hamilton (kneecap) and freshman Dylan Moses (foot). Hamilton suffered his injury during the win over LSU on Nov. 4, while Moses got hurt last month as the Crimson Tide began on-campus preparations for the Sugar Bowl.
The only time Alabama has been full strength at linebacker this season was during the first few minutes against Florida State.
Cotton absent
Crimson Tide junior right guard Lester Cotton, who injured his knee in Monday night's Sugar Bowl, was not spotted during the portion of Wednesday's practice that was open to the media. Senior JC Hassenauer, who replaced Cotton against Clemson, was working in Cotton's first-team spot.
Hassenauer started two games earlier this season in place of left guard Ross Pierschbacher.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.