Alabama concludes first week of preseason camp

Excluding the obvious bumps and bruises, the initial week of preseason camp has been rather quiet on the injury front, and even the “major news” front.

Granted, the situation with Darius Paige caught fire like an alley dumpster, but in respect to actual news from the practice field, the Paige saga quite obviously belongs in a different category.

Emergency surgery

The most notable physical setback in preseason camp thus far has been a “non-football related” ailment. Earlier this week, defensive lineman Dakota Ball underwent an appendectomy. Ball, per Nick Saban, will likely be out of action for a couple of weeks.

Fanning moves to tight end

In respect to field activities, LaMichael Fanning, a defensive end in 2012, has been moved to tight end. While Nick Saban has called the move an experiment, Fanning remains at the tight end position.

Malcolm Faciane, a reserve tight end in 2012, has been suspended due to violation of team rules. With Faciane absent, the Fanning position change has obviously been done for depth purposes.

LaMichael Fanning is working with the tight ends pic.twitter.com/GuDKa9Mpdx
— Gary L. Harris (@GaryLHarris1) August 4, 2013

Secondary needs

Early in spring practice, wide receiver Cyrus Jones changed from jersey No. 8 to No. 5, and switched to defensive back. As Alabama completes the first week of preseason camp, Jones remains a fixture in the secondary. At this stage, it is more than safe to assume that Jones’ time at receiver is over.

Cyrus Jones officially listed as a defensive back on the updated roster. #Alabama
— Marquavius Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) August 3, 2013

Return of Nudie

Jalston Fowler, who appears to be fully recovered from a knee injury that forced him to miss the majority of the 2012 season, looks better than ever per various reports and eyewitness accounts.

Fowler, who is about 20 pounds lighter than last season, has been working with the running back unit, but also with the h-back/tight end unit. One could say, that even after two years, Alabama is still searching for the next “Brad Smelley” to truly fill the h-back role in respect to both blocking and receiving.

Jalston Fowler working with the tight ends #Alabama pic.twitter.com/KPa0ejfDJW
— Marquavius Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) August 2, 2013

Tide on Tide

Saturday will mark the first scrimmage of preseason camp for the Crimson Tide. Nick Saban will hold a presser following the events of the day.