Two Notable Starters Have Played Their Final Games for Crimson Tide

Linebacker Terrell Lewis and cornerback Trevon Diggs will not play in the Citrus Bowl

T.G. Paschal/BamaCentral

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama football team will be moving forward without two key defensive starters, who have elected to sit instead of play in the Citrus Bowl. 

Senior cornerback Trevon Diggs and redshirt linebacker Terrell Lewis were not on the field when the Crimson Tide worked out in shorts Monday afternoon. Nick Saban subsequently confirmed that neither will play against Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1. 

However, all of the other players who are considering leaving early (minus injured quarterback Tua Tagovailoa) were in their usual spots. That included running back Najee Harris, wide receivers Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith, offensive linemen Landon Dickerson, Alex Leatherwood and Jedrick Wills Jr., and safety Xavier McKinney. 

BamaCentral  reported last week that Harris, Jeudy and Wills are expected to enter the 2020 NFL Draft along with Lewis, who has had numerous injury issues during his career.

This season, coming off a torn ACL and then suffering a hyperextended knee, he's been in on just 31 total tackles. He's fifth among SEC defenders with 11.5 tackles for loss and eighth in sacks with six. Lewis has also had a team-high 16 quarterback pressures, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

Diggs landed first-team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press, second-team from the coaches. He led the Crimson Tide defense in pass breakups with eight, to go with three interceptions and 37 tackles.  

According to Pro Football Focus the cornerback allowed a passer rating of just 44.5 when targeted during the regular season and notched an 84-yard pick-six against Arkansas. Diggs also picked up two fumbles and accounted for a score.

Diggs, who has the potential to be a first-round selection, was the lone senior absent from practice. 

Patrick Surtain II was lined up next to Josh Jobe during individual drills, and Chris Allen looked like he was in Lewis' spot. 

Alabama worked out in 74-degree, cloudy conditions. 

Tight end Miller Forristall (throat) was back practicing for the the first time since suffering a voice-box injury that required surgery. Freshmen running back Trey Sanders (foot) was in a black no-contact jersey. Freshman kicker Will Reichard (hip) was on the field with special-teams players. 

Freshmen nose tackle D.J. Dale (knee) was not with the defensive linemen. Saban announced that he hasn't responded well to treatment and will be held out as they consider options moving forward.

This story will be updated