Sources: Alabama DB DeVonta Smith Making Significant Progress, May Play at Kentucky

Smith has missed the entire 2023-24 season thus far with a foot injury.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Alabama Crimson Tide will be without two defensive starters on Saturday, but may return a defensive back that hasn't played at all this season.

DeVonta Smith, not to be confused with the other one, has made significant progress this week at practice and may be able to play against Kentucky on Saturday, sources tell BamaCentral.

Smith has missed the entire season so far with a lingering foot injury. During fall camp, there was a chance he could have been the second starter at safety, alongside true freshman Caleb Downs.

He may get a chance to do so against the Wildcats.

According to sources, Smith practiced with an injury designation on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. However, on Thursday, Smith was lining up with the first-team defense, meaning he could make his first career start on Saturday in place of the injured Jaylen Key.

"I would say [Smith's] biggest thing was just learning the plays," defensive back Malachi Moore said on Aug. 7. "And he's done a great job of coming in and learning the adjustments and thinking forward to when the offense is motioning and being ahead of all the tasks and ahead of all the calls, and communicating with the corners, the stars, even the linebackers. I like the way [he's] progressing."

Prior to the season, Saban said that Smith would've been "in the mix" in the secondary if not for the injury.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Saturday's game is somewhat a homecoming for Smith. He played high school ball at La Salle — approximately 91 miles from Kroger Field, where Alabama (8-1, 6-0 SEC) and Kentucky (6-3, 3-3 SEC) meet on Saturday afternoon.

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