Alabama QB AJ McCarron in a walking boot upon arrival in Atlanta to face Virginia Tech. #Bama #VT #SEC pic.twitter.com/BwaLwQkmBH
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) August 30, 2013
There has been no talk this week about McCarron being significantly injured and at this time there is no word that playing time could be in jeopardy. Not that Nick Saban would be above that level of gamesmanship in any game, let alone the season opener, but if there was a chance McCarron would not play Saturday then it is pretty likely we would have heard about it by now.
McCarron did suffer a bruised foot during practice earlier in the month, so this could very well be the drawn out impact of the injury. If for any reason McCarron is not available at the start or at any point during the game, the Crimson Tide would likely put the offense in the hands of junior Blake Sims. Sims, a Georgia native, is listed second on the depth chart behind McCarron. If needed, Alabama should have enough of an advantage in other positions to get by without McCarron and a junior quarterback at the helm.
Regardless of McCarron’s status, Alabama still figures to be well ahead in the health department compared to Virginia Tech. Yesterday we learned the Hokies had lost starting tight end Ryan Malleck for the year, the latest in a number of injuries for the Hokies leading up to the first kickoff of the season.