Alabama coach Nick Saban said Thursday that wide receiver JoJo Earle (knee) and cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (hip) will be game-time decisions for Friday’s Cotton Bowl.
Earle has not played since being injured Nov. 13 against New Mexico State, although the freshman went through SEC championship game warmups in uniform with a brace over his left knee.
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Earle has 12 catches for 148 yards this season, all coming within the first six games of the season. He did not have any catches in the four games leading into his injury, although he continued to return punts.
Alabama will be without John Metchie (ACL) for the playoffs, allowing younger receivers such as Earle a chance to see the field.
“It does give opportunities to other guys — guys like Ja’Corey Brooks, JoJo Earle,” offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien said this week. “I think that those guys have stepped up. I’ve seen improvement from Agiye Hall. I’ve seen improvement from a lot of different guys.”
Defensive coordinator Pete Golding had given a positive update on Armour-Davis on Monday, saying the fourth-year junior had been practicing, “looked well” and it was “good to have him back.”
Although Saban noted Thursday that Armour-Davis has practiced “some” this week, he added, “We’ll make a game-time decision on whether he’s able to play. He’s a mature player and he knows whether he can go out there and do his job.”
If Armour-Davis is unable to play or start, junior Khyree Jackson would be the most likely option to replace him in the lineup.
Alabama also appears to have avoided any other player availability issues because of injury or COVID-19.
“I don’t think there are any issues among players available,” Saban said Thursday.
Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.
