Nick Saban provides Injury Update on Defensive Injuries, Jermaine Burton

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — On Wednesday, Alabama head coach Nick Saban provided an injury update on a pair of key cogs in the Crimson Tide defense and star wide receiver Jermaine Burton.

For Burton, a return this weekend versus Chattanooga is in the cards after missing the Kentucky game with an injury.

"Jermaine Burton is fine," Saban said.

As for defensive back Jaylen Key and linebacker Deontae Lawson, the pair of defensive starters are also set to return after sustaining second-half injuries versus LSU.

"Jaylen [Key] and Deontae [Lawson] are both moving around, running, rehabbing, getting close to being ready to practice and play," Saban said. "But I would say it's still pretty questionable whether they can make it through the game."

Saban also made a point to emphasize that players usually can't play if they don't practice on Thursdays.

“If they can’t practice tomorrow then most of the time — if guys can’t practice on Thursday, we don’t think they’re healthy enough to play in the game," Saban said. "We’ll see when it comes to that tomorrow.”

No. 8 Alabama (9-1, 7-0) will host Chattanooga (7-3) on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT as the Mocs fight for their FCS playoff lives.