A violation of team rules has cost Alabama a safety for this weekend’s game. According to Andrew Gribble of AL.com, Alabama has suspended safety HaHa Clinton-Dix indefinitely, with Nick Saban saying no more than a violation of team rules as the cause.
Clinton-Dix is Alabama’s second leading tackler through four games with 24 tackles, including 14 solo tackles. The junior has also deflected two passes and is widely considered among the top safety prospects for the upcoming NFL Draft in 2014.
Clinton-Dix has started all four games for Alabama at free safety. According to the Al.com report, Saban says sophomores Landon Collins and Geno Smith will fill the void during Clinton-Dix’s absence. Nick Perry, who had been listed second on the depth chart this season recently underwent season-ending shoulder surgery.
The suspension will have minimal impact this weekend against Georgia State, but if Clinton-Dix sits out deeper in to the season his loss will become more critical. LSU and Mississippi State are the only teams remaining on the schedule that has a getter passing offense than Alabama. Arkansas, Tennessee and Auburn have three of the bottom four passing offenses in the SEC that remain on Alabama’s schedule.
If Alabama starts to run short on safeties, they can always do what Purdue is doing and move a quarterback to fill a safety spot if needed.