Hightower, Vlachos Absent from Thursday Practice

-Dont’a Hightower missed practice on Thursday due to a fractured left hand. Hightower suffered the injury during Sunday’s “Fan Day” public practice. The Crimson Tide linebacker underwent a surgical procedure on Thursday to repair the fracture. Hightower is expected to return to practice on Friday. Oddly enough, Hightower had yet to miss a single practice session due to the hand injury prior to the surgical procedure.

-Center William Vlachos missed practice on Thursday due to an illness.

-Offensive lineman Ryan Kelly (concussion) and defensive lineman Undra Billingsley (illness) were absent for the fourth consecutive practice. Billingsley was hospitalized earlier in the week for medical examination.

-Thursday was a single practice affair for the Crimson Tide. Two-a-day sessions will resume on Friday. Alabama will hold the first scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium.