Once ruled out for the remainder of the season, Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has been cleared to practice and has a chance to return for the national title game versus Ohio State.
"He's been running, but we need to see him in practice," head coach Nick Saban told ESPN's Chris Low on Tuesday. "Our medical people will evaluate him as the week goes on and make a decision from there. He wants to play and has been working hard to get back."
Waddle suffered a broken ankle Oct. 24 on the opening kickoff against Tennessee. The junior had 25 catches for 557 yards and four touchdowns in four contests prior to the injury.
Even without Waddle, who projects to be a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Alabama finished the season ranked No. 2 in the FBS with 48.2 points per game. In his absence, the Crimson Tide leaned more on DeVonta Smith, who emerged as a Heisman Trophy candidate and caught his 19th and 20th touchdowns in the national semifinals against Notre Dame.
The NCAA season concludes Monday with the College Football Playoff National Championship. Alabama hasn't gone three straight seasons without winning the national title since hiring Saban in 2007, but the school would have that streak snapped with a loss to Ohio State.
