Nov 14, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) carries the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. The Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs 31-6. Photo Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
With Kenyan Drake going down, Alabama’s two freshman running backs Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough now have an opportunity to receive more playing time.
Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said Monday that Drake underwent successful surgery Sunday to repair his fractured right arm.
Drake is expected to be back in two to three weeks, although how effective he’ll be is unclear as he injured his dominant arm. Saban’s timeline has Drake returning around the SEC Championship Game if Alabama makes it.
But in the meantime, the Tide will lean on Harris and Scarbrough to spell starter Derrick Henry.
Their first test comes Saturday when the Tide hosts Charleston Southern at 3 p.m. CT on SEC Network.
“Both guys are going to have to play a role, there’s no question about that,” Saban said. “Again, they’re young guys, so are they going to step up to the challenge and compete and show the maturity you need to get ready to play a game and play it well and do it on a consistent basis? That’s the challenge for all the young guys.”
Neither Scarbrough nor Harris has had much time running behind the first-team offensive line, so their struggles during their limited touches aren’t completely on them.
“It’s about sustaining the standard. Nobody is entitled to anything. You have to earn it,” Saban said. “Those guys are very capable and we certainly need them to come through us right now after losing Kenyan and I think they’re both very capable of doing that.”
Both Harris and Scarbrough ranked as five-star recruits coming out of high school so the talent is there. Tide left tackle Cam Robinson said Harris is a “little quicker than Bo” while adding that Scarbrough is “more of a down-hill guy.”
“We have all the confidence in the world in Damien and Bo,” Robinson said. “We know they’re both playmakers and are explosive when they get the ball in their hands. I’m confident they can step in and pick up Drake’s slack. Not saying they can replace Drake, but they bring something to the table the same way he brought something to the table.”
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Damien Harris. Harris has carried the ball 34 times for 109 yards. He’ll be the No. 2 back with Drake out.
–RB Bo Scarbrough. Scarbrough, who sat out the first four games while suspended, has five carries for 18 yards. He’ll compete with Harris for the No. 2 spot.
–DB Tony Brown. With Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick banged up, Brown should have an increased role this week.
