Practice/injury report: D.J. Dale still being held out

Crimson Tide heads inside with heat index above 100

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Freshman nose tackle D.J. Dale (ankle) hasn’t been practicing this week as Alabama continued to work on fundamentals during its bye.

After being outside on Tuesday, Alabama worked inside in full pads Wednesday. Conditions outside were sunny and 96 degrees (heat index 101).

“I wasn’t real happy with the practice we had (Tuesday) as the first day out,” Nick Saban said. “Some guys did a good job, some guys were not what we’d like for them to be. But I think they’ll learn and grow and get better as the week goes on. We’ll just keep on keeping on.”

At linebacker, redshirt junior Terrell Lewis (knee) has been going through drills, but is still somewhat limited.

Reporters haven’t seen the first-team offensive line this week, in part because of the numerous players being held out to heal up. When walking out the line, from left to right, had Alex Leatherwood, Evan Neal, Landon Dickerson, Deonte Brown and Matt Womack. Chris Owens and Jedrick Wills Jr. were both watching.

The forecast for next Saturday’s game at Texas A&M (2:30 p.m., CBS) is partly cloudy and high of 83 degrees. 

Barring a change in the polls, the Crimson Tide will go in ranked No. 1.

“I don’t think that rankings mean anything at this point,” Saban said. “The only time rankings mean anything is at the end of the season. At the end, if you don’t end up where you want to end up, it doesn’t really mean anything. So I think everybody should be ignoring that right now.”

Injury rundown

Junior defensive end LaBryan Ray (foot) will be out at least another month.

Junior interior linebacker Dylan Moses: Out indefinitely with a knee injury.

Senior interior linebacker Josh McMillon: Out indefinitely with a knee injury.

Freshman running back Trey Sanders: Out indefinitely with a left foot injury.

Reserve offensive lineman Hunter Brannon is out indefinitely.

Freshman defensive lineman Antonio Alfano remains absent.