The 59-3 Alabama win over New Mexico State was costly to the Crimson Tide offense.
Two contributors — receiver JoJo Earle and running back Roydell Williams — got hurt in the first half with what Nick Saban called “significant injuries.”
“We lost Roydell probably for a good while,” Saban said, “and JoJo probably not as serious but probably going to be out for a little while.”
Earle went down fielding a punt in the first quarter. He was on the turf a while before trainers helped him to the sideline without putting weight on his left leg. The freshman was later taken to the locker room on a cart.
Williams, the second-string running back, was hurt just before halftime on a short run. He too couldn’t put any weight on his injured leg as trainers took him straight to the locker room. The Tide is already without original No. 2 back Jase McClellan who is out for the year with a knee injury while five-star freshman Camar Wheaton has been hurt since the preseason.
Alabama also played without a pair of starting offensive linemen with center Darrian Dalcourt out with a sprained ankle while left guard Javion Cohen hurt his wrist this week.
“It was repaired and he’s fine,” Saban said.
Both Cohen and Dalcourt are expected to be back at practice Tuesday, Saban said.
Also, DeMarcco Hellams had a thigh bruise entering the game before taking a shot directly to the sore spot. Saban said he could have gone back into the game if needed but Alabama held a 35-3 lead at the time.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.
