Saban hopeful Young (shoulder) plays at Vols

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- No. 3 Alabama manager Nick Saban told ESPN connected Friday that backmost Bryce Young is connected way to play Saturday astatine No. 6 Tennessee, but that the last determination volition beryllium made during pregame warm-ups.

"He's done a batch much successful signifier this week and thrown a batch much than helium did a week ago," Saban said. "He wants to play and feels similar he's steadfast capable to play. We'll cognize for definite erstwhile helium gets connected the field, starts throwing and however helium feels then."

Young, the Heisman Trophy victor a twelvemonth ago, missed Alabama's 24-20 triumph past week implicit Texas A&M aft spraining his close throwing enarthrosis a week earlier against Arkansas.

Saban said past week that Young was a game-time decision, but Alabama decided anterior to the crippled that helium wasn't acceptable and alternatively played redshirt freshman Jalen Milroe, who threw 3 touchdown passes but besides had 3 turnovers.

Young threw successful the passageway astatine Bryant-Denny Stadium a week agone earlier coming retired onto the tract for warm-ups. He stood and watched the different quarterbacks during the throwing portion of warm-ups.

Saban said connected Friday that helium felt overmuch amended astir Young's chances of playing than helium did astatine this clip a week ago.

The program is for Young to spell done afloat pregame warm-ups connected Saturday astatine Neyland Stadium. Young did not propulsion connected Thursday, but that was by plan to person him rested for crippled day.

"There's nary crushed to unreserved a backmost backmost with this benignant of injury," Saban said. "Bryce is specified a rival that helium ever wants to play. The soreness helium had past week hasn't been astir arsenic bad. You tin spot that erstwhile helium throws it. But we inactive request to marque definite everything checks retired earlier the game."

The Crimson Tide and Vols conscionable connected Saturday for the archetypal clip arsenic unbeaten teams since 1989.

Young has passed for 1,202 yards, 14 touchdowns and 3 interceptions this season. He's besides rushed for 3 touchdowns. Young is 18-2 arsenic Alabama's starter.

Saturday's crippled should beryllium 1 of the amended backmost matchups of the play successful assemblage football. Tennessee's Hendon Hooker has passed for 1,432 yards, 10 touchdowns and nary interceptions. He's besides rushed for 3 touchdowns.