Alabama working to get more players into the mix

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Although Markail Benton had significant playing time at Texas A&M, coaches are still being cautious with the redshirt sophomore interior linebacker who's coming off a hamstring injury.

Benton was limited during Monday's individual drills, although it appeared to be of the preventative nature.

The Crimson Tide was in its usual shorts and helmets for Monday's practice, as it began preparations to face Tennessee this week (8 p.m. CT Saturday, ESPN).

Conditions were overcast and 72 degrees. Rain is in the forecast for Monday and Tuesday, likely meaning the team will head inside for the next practice or two.

Per The Weather Channel, there's a 40 percent chance of rain Saturday, with an expected high temperature of 73 degrees.

Reporters didn't get to see the offensive line, but junior Landon Dickerson, who was named a player of the week by the coaching staff, led the centers through drills.

Among those behind him was junior Chris Owens (knee).

The defensive line went through a drill four wide, with senior Raekwon Davis, freshman D.J. Dale, freshman Byron Young and redshirt sophomore Phidarian Mathis.

Young was expected to start at Texas A&M, but didn't as Alabama came out in a nickel package with an extra linebacker and just two defensive linemen, Davis and Dale.

"We have two freshmen, he and Justin [Eboigne], who have played a lot of right end," Nick Saban said earlier Monday. "They’re played a lot more since [LaBryan] Ray got injured at that position, and both guys are developing and emerging.

"I think confidence is really important, with those guys, and that they continue to develop that in terms of better understanding in what they do so they can play fast and respond and react and not think about what they’ve got to do, and we think those guys have a bright future."

Benton and Ale Kaho have similarly been in the mix at interior linebacker, where Alabama is still trying to develop some depth after both starters, Dylan Moses and Joshua McMillion, suffered knee injuries requiring surgery.

"Markail’s been injured and he was actually competing and we were going to try and create a role for him, and he pulled a hamstring and missed a couple of weeks," Saban said. "So it was really to try and get him an opportunity, as well as maybe take some burden off the other guys in terms of what’s on their plate.

"If he continues to do well it would be helpful to our team that we have four guys on our defense who can play winning football. He’s certainly a guy who has the capability to do that."