Jase McClellan injury update from Nick Saban ahead of Rose Bowl vs. Michigan
ANAHEIM, California — Nick Saban had plenty of reasons to smile while at Disneyland on Wednesday. First, the Alabama football coach took part in a parade down Mainstreet on a horse-drawn carriage with his wife, Terry Saban, and granddaughter. And then there's the fact Saban seems optimistic about his starting running backs' availability for the Rose Bowl.
Saban, speaking from Lincoln Theater just inside the gates at Disneyland, said Jase McClellan is back practicing after sustaining a foot injury.
"Jase is doing great," Saban said. "We gave him a lot of time off to heal his foot & it looks like it paid off.”
So will McClellan be available for the Rose Bowl?
"Barring some setback, the way he’s practiced, I don’t see why he couldn’t play the game," Saban said.
McClellan missed the SEC Championship Game with his foot injury that has been something he's dealt with all season long, per Saban. McClellan was seen on the sideline after the Iron Bowl in crutches and a medical boot.
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McClellan, a senior, has tallied 803 yards and six touchdowns this season.
McClellan's return would be a welcomed boost for an already deep running back room. With McClellan out for the win vs. Georgia, Roydell Williams led the rushing attack with 64 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown. Jam Miller and freshman Justice Haynes are the next two up at the position.
No. 4 Alabama (12-1) will face No. 1 Michigan (13-0) on Monday (4 p.m. CT, ESPN) in the Rose Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Nick Kelly is the Alabama beat writer for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network, and he covers Alabama football and men's basketball. Reach him at nkelly@gannett.com or follow him @_NickKelly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Jase McClellan injury update ahead of Rose Bowl
