Alabama inside linebacker Dylan Moses suffered a knee injury during practice on Tuesday that will likely cause him to miss the entire season, sources told ESPN.
Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said on the SEC media teleconference that Moses’ injury will require surgery and he will be out “indefinitely.” He said the injury happened during Tuesday’s practice.
“Certainly, this is a character check for our team, and we’re going to do everything to support Dylan and the people that have the opportunity now to fill in for Dylan,” Saban said.
Moses, a Butkus Award finalist last season, was set to be the signal-caller on defense this season. He finished with 86 total tackles — 10 for loss — and 3.5 sacks in 2018.
He was ranked No. 13 on the preseason Big Board by ESPN’s NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.
Saban told ESPN earlier this month that linebacker was among the thinnest positions on the team and that the Tide could ill afford to have injuries there this season.
Alabama was already dealing with the loss of senior inside linebacker Joshua McMillon, who suffered what’s believed to be a season-ending knee injury earlier this month.
With McMillon and Moses sidelined, the Tide defense will lack experience at inside linebacker.
Sophomore Markail Benton, who had 14 tackles last season, and freshman Shane Lee are listed as the second-sting Mike linebackers behind Moses on the official Alabama depth chart, which was released Monday.
Christian Harris, another true freshman, is listed as a starter at the second inside linebacker position.
Alabama opens the season against Duke in Atlanta on Saturday.