TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— During the “Hey Coach” radio show earlier this week, Alabama head coach Nate Oats mentioned that Saturday’s game against LSU was expected to be the latest possible return date for freshman forward Derrion Reid, who has missed the Crimson Tide’s last three games due to injury.
However, following the team’s Friday practice, Oats revised his statement, indicating that Reid was still not ready for full participation in practice.
“We initially thought he’d be back sooner, but as the injury has progressed, we’re being cautious to ensure he’s fully ready,” Oats said. “He’ll have a workout tomorrow morning, and we’ll see how he feels. He’s not guaranteed to play—he’ll probably be listed as questionable.”
Reid has started three of 15 games this season, averaging 8.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Alabama has also been missing Houston Mallette in recent games. Originally planning to redshirt this season, Mallette decided to forgo the redshirt after Latrell Wrightsell Jr. suffered an injury. Mallette appeared in six games, starting with the matchup against North Carolina, but has now missed the last four games.
Oats revealed that the team is leaning toward preserving Mallette’s eligibility by having him sit out the remainder of the season for a medical redshirt.
“We want to do what’s best for him,” Oats explained. “If his knees don’t reach 100 percent soon, it’s hard to justify him only playing half of the conference games. We’ll assess how he feels halfway through conference play. If he’s fully healthy and can contribute at full capacity, he’ll play. Otherwise, it’s better to keep him on the rehab program since he’s made significant progress.”
Mallette, who missed the summer due to a knee injury, gradually returned to action in the fall but experienced a setback during the season. While the final decision hasn’t been made, the team is prioritizing his long-term health and development.
No. 4 Alabama will face LSU on Saturday night at 7:30 in Coleman Coliseum.
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