TUSCALOOSA – Alabama’s wide receiver corps took a hit this week as the Crimson Tide continues to progress through fall camp.
Sophomore Jojo Earle suffered a Jones fracture, a break in the fifth metatarsal of the foot, earlier this week, head coach Nick Saban announced during his Wednesday press conference.
“He was doing a really good job and having a really good camp,” Saban said. “(He has been) probably the best he’s been on a consistent basis. Just a solid guy that grew up and was playing with a lot of confidence.”
Saban said Earle is likely to be out for six-to-eight weeks, eyeing a possible return in early October.
Earle was named to the Freshmen All-SEC team as a return specialist with returning 16 kicks for 88 yards through 10 games. He caught 12 passes for 148 yards.
After losing Jameson Williams (Detroit) and John Metchie (Houston) in the NFL Draft this year, Alabama will be looking to returning starter Ja’Corey Brooks, who caught the game-tying touchdown in the Iron Bowl, and Jermaine Burton, a transfer from Georgia, to lead the Tide’s receiving group.
“Ja’Corey Brooks is doing really well,” Saban said about his returning starter. “(He’s) really competitive, smart and plays with a lot of toughness. He’s got really good hands. All the other guys, they’re making really good progress.”
Saban said he won’t really know how his receivers are progressing until he sees how they perform in game-like setting.
“I think there’s a lot of competition at that position between new guys, transfer guys, freshmen and old guys coming in,” he said. “It will be interesting to see how they do when we scrimmage on Saturday.”
