Alabama Practice Report 9/23: Ragland Practices With OLBs

Alabama practiced for the second time this week Wednesday, two days after taking Monday’s practice off. The Crimson Tide practiced outside on the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields in full pads.

Regarding Monday’s day off, it is not uncommon for coach Nick Saban to do that during the season, especially considering how late last Saturday’s game against Ole Miss ended. On offense, the Crimson Tide ran an astounding 101 plays on offense.

Observations:

- Linebacker Reggie Ragland, normally a mainstay at inside linebacker, was practicing with the outside linebackers during the first of two viewing period. The senior, whose birthday was Wednesday, has worked here during practices in the past. For Ragland, it's likely just a move to help him work on his pass rushing abilities.

- Linebacker Dillon Lee, perhaps Alabama's most versatile linebacker, was also splitting time between inside and outside linebacker.

- Defensive lineman O.J. Smith wore Warhawks defensive lineman Gerrand Johnson's No. 76. Johnson was an All-Sun Belt first team selection last season.

- Freshman wide receiver Deionte Thompson, as well as at least two walk-on receivers, wore a No. 17 scout team jersey for Louisiana-Monroe freshman receiver RJ Turner.

- Among other walk-ons, No. 2 for senior receiver Rashon Ceaser and No. 21 for junior receiver Ajalen Holley were also popular scout team jerseys.

- In the wide receiver lines, ArDarius Stewart, Richard Mullaney, Chris Black, Cam Sims and Derek Kief, in that order, were in one line, with Calvin Ridley, Daylon Charlot, Parker Barrineau and Thompson in the other.

Ridley, a freshman, led one of the two receiver lines during practice Tuesday, as well. On Monday, coach Nick Saban said Ridley took Robert Foster's spot after he went down with injury against Ole Miss last Saturday.

- Scouts from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins watched Wednesday's practice from the sidelines.

Next:

Saban and selected players will speak to the media after practice tonight around 6 p.m.