Starting center Darrian Dalcourt is nursing an ankle sprain, so Alabama might have to turn to another center for the time being.
In the LSU game when Dalcourt went out, Chris Owens slid over from right tackle to center. But if Dalcourt misses time, Owens might not be the replacement.
“I do think we have competition at the position,” coach Nick Saban said Wednesday. “Chris has played there before, but we also have some young guys who have played the position that have done very well. We’re going to evaluate and see what gives us the best chance to be successful in the game, and we’ll do that throughout the week.”
Owens filled in at center in 2020 when Landon Dickerson was injured, so he has big-game experience there. But the Crimson Tide could turn to another player to fill the void if Dalcourt misses time.
Saban did not specify on the SEC coaches teleconference who else is in competition for that spot.
No. 3 Alabama (8-1) hosts New Mexico State (1-8) at 11 a.m. Saturday (SEC Network).
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This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What Nick Saban said Alabama football could do if Darrian Dalcourt is out