Longhorns vs. Alabama: Tide Defense Dealing with Injuries

Ahead of Saturday's matchup with the Texas Longhorns, Alabama is dealing with injury issues in the secondary that have carried over from a season-opening win against Middle Tennessee State.

The No. 11 Texas Longhorns could look to take advantage of a potentially depleted Alabama secondary when they take the field in Tuscaloosa on Saturday night against the No. 3-ranked team in the country.

Alabama is dealing with injury issues in the secondary that have carried over from a season-opening 56-7 win vs. Middle Tennessee State.

Cornerback Malachi Moore (ankle) and safety Jaylen Key (knee) are both game-time decisions, per Alabama coach Nick Saban.

“We’ve had a lot of issues in the secondary with some of these guys, so we’re working hard to try to get them ready,” Saban said during his weekly radio show Thursday night, per On3. “Malachi’s been able to practice some. Jaylen Key practiced some today. Both of them will be game-time decisions. The secondary is not someplace you can play if you can’t move around pretty good, but I’ve been encouraged by the progress they’ve made.”

Key, a UAB transfer, is playing in his first season with the Tide. He already has four years of collegiate experience under his belt as he enters year No. 5. He got his Alabama career started off on the right foot with an interception and four total tackles in Saturday's win.

As for Moore, he's been with the Tide since 2020.

If both are out, Alabama loses some significant experience from its secondary. Reason to panic? Hardly.

While there's been questions about the Tide offense and whether it can reach an elite level this season, there's been little doubt regarding the talent of Saban's defense. Alabama gave up just one score in last week's win, which came when the Tide were already up 42-0 with less than a minute remaining in the third quarter.

While two players potentially being absent from the Tide secondary on Saturday gives Texas' receivers an advantage on paper, the Longhorns would be foolish to think that this automatically means easy offense.

Regardless of who's in or out, you can bet Saban will have an elite defensive gameplan ready.