Alabama has been disadvantaged defensively since starting inside linebackers Dylan Moses and Joshua McMillon were shelved for the season with August injuries.
The Crimson Tide will have even more defenders sidelined against Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.
Senior cornerback Trevon Diggs and redshirt junior outside linebacker Terrell Lewis did not participate Monday in Alabama’s first on-campus bowl practice and have elected to sit out the New Year’s Day game against the Wolverines. Tide coach Nick Saban confirmed their decisions in a brief news conference.
“Every guy has a choice and decision to make,” Saban said, “and we certainly respect and understand their decisions and wish them well in what they choose to do.”
Diggs is the No. 29 draft-eligible prospect for April’s extravaganza in Las Vegas, according to CBS, while Lewis is the 63rd prospect. Diggs has played in all 12 games this season, compiling 37 tackles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a team-high eight pass breakups, while Lewis has played in 11 games and has 31 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and a team-high 16 quarterback hurries.
Their decisions are understandable given their history of injuries, with Diggs suffering a broken foot at Arkansas six games into the 2018 season. Lewis missed 10 games during the 2017 season after sustaining an elbow injury in the opener against Florida State, and he missed all of last year with a torn ACL in summer conditioning.
Alabama is not at full strength up front, either, with Saban labeling freshman defensive tackle DJ Dale doubtful for the bowl due to a late-season knee injury that hasn’t recovered. The Tide allowed a whopping 94 points in their November losses to LSU and Auburn, though LSU got a short field on a Tua Tagovailoa interception and Auburn returned two Mac Jones miscues for touchdowns.
The loss to Auburn sealed a 10-2 regular-season record for the Tide, their worst since a 9-3 mark in 2010.
“I don’t think anybody is happy with the Iron Bowl,” Saban said. “I think everybody is disappointed, and it’s OK to be disappointed. I believe in the team, and I believe in the players and the leadership on the team. This team has had a lot to overcome, and that continues to grow.
“We’re going to coach the guys who want to play in the game and have a great attitude about playing in the game and do the best job we can with all those guys.”
Junior receiver Jerry Jeudy announced via social media this past weekend that he plans to play in the bowl, and it appears that junior running back Najee Harris and junior receivers Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith will be competing in Orlando as well.
Alabama is a 7-point favorite against Michigan, which went 9-3 in the regular season and is looking to bounce back from a rivalry loss to Ohio State.
“I’m excited about the guys who are playing in this game,” Saban said, “and I think all the guys who are playing in the game have made really good choices to play. I think they can enhance their value by playing very, very well.”
Tide tidbits
Monday was the first of Alabama’s seven scheduled on-campus practices. Freshman running back Trey Sanders practiced for the first time since suffering a foot injury in August, but Saban does not believe he will be ready to play in Orlando. Saban said redshirt junior tight end Miller Forristall, who suffered a throat injury against Arkansas, has a good chance to play.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.