Tide adjusts with Dont’a Hightower out for season

TUSCALOOSA — As Alabama moved ahead without inside linebacker Dont’a Hightower on Monday, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said last Saturday’s fix isn’t necessarily this season’s cure.

Two starters changed positions and backup jack linebacker Courtney Upshaw got extended playing time when Hightower went down with a season-ending knee injury in Alabama’s 35-7 victory over Arkansas.

Sam linebacker Cory Reamer moved inside to Hightower’s will linebacker post. Eryk Anders moved from the jack to sam linebacker. Upshaw also played Hightower’s pass-rushing role on obvious passing downs.

But Saban indicated that isn’t necessarily the long-term fix Alabama will use.

“I don’t know that we will continue that way down the road,” Saban said at Monday’s press conference, where he confirmed that Hightower is out for the season. “It will be a part of what we do, but there are other players who can contribute in roles. ...

“It gave us the best chance in that particular game for what we needed to do in that game to rush the passer to get the best players on the field. And they all did a good job.”

This week’s solution against Kentucky is up in the air. For the first time all season, Alabama did not have a media viewing period for Monday’s practice.

There is no depth chart in this week’s UA media package.

Saban didn’t provide many specifics about how the team will move forward. He did say the injury creates an opportunity for players to step up.

“We need to redefine who we are, individually and collectively,” the coach said, adding that Hightower won’t be replaced by one player. “I don’t know that you can replace a guy that does all the things that he did.

“I think we need different roles created by different people to do different things to make up for some of the things Dont’a did.”

Middle linebacker Rolando McClain said the season can’t be put on hold, but the loss of Hightower is an emotional one.

“He’s not just my teammate, he’s like a little brother to me. And he’s been like that since he got here,” McClain said. “When he went out, it was like a part of me went out.

“It’s going to be hard for me to get over it, but I’ve still got this defense as well as the rest of the team looking up to me for leadership. So I’m going to get a grasp on the thing and just try to get ready to play Kentucky.”

Rotating the starters around worked last Saturday against pass-happy Arkansas. But Anders has been very productive at the jack through four games. He is third on the team with 19 tackles, behind middle linebacker Rolando McClain (23) and safety Mark Barron (20). Anders also has 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one pass breakup and one forced fumble.

Saban may look at backup linebackers to keep Reamer and Anders outside. Hightower’s lone backup on last week’s depth chart had been true freshman Tana Patrick — who appeared headed for a redshirt season. Patrick did not play against North Texas, when Alabama played 65 players.

Reamer’s backups at sam linebacker are Alex Watkins, who played against North Texas, and Chavis Williams, who has played in the last two games.

McClain’s backups are sophomore Chris Jordan, who has played in every game, and true freshman Nico Johnson of Andalusia.
McClain said Johnson, who played against both FIU and North Texas, is getting better.

“He’s working to get better, showing signs of becoming a better player,” McClain said. “I don’t know who is going to be beside me. ... Coach Saban is going to put the guy at his spot that best fits that position. I have confidence in the defense. One guy doesn’t make a defense, and I don’t think this is going to break us. I think we’ll get better. I think everybody around him, around me, is just going to have to step it up.”

The player perhaps best suited to fill Hightower’s spot may be Jerrell Harris, but the sophomore from Gadsden has been ruled ineligible by the NCAA for the first six games.

“We try to do some things in practice with him, individually, so he can continue to develop,” said Saban, who added he learned of Harris’ status only last Friday. “He did an outstanding job in fall camp.

“We thought he was a guy that was a potential starter that can play winning football for us, but he has not gotten the reps in practice the last four weeks because of us not knowing when he would return.”

Of course, the first two SEC road trips of the season will be played before Harris can return for the South Carolina game.

Of course, Alabama did hold the Razorbacks to seven points and played without Hightower for more than three quarters.

“It’s a credit to some of the other players that came in,” Washington said, singling out Upshaw for coming in and Reamer for moving inside. “You’ve got to give credit to them for stepping up when their number was called.”

Saban said the teams needs similar contributions in the coming weeks.

“How our players respond will certainly go a long way in how we continue to be able to play the kind of defense that will give us a chance to have success,” the coach said.