Trey DePriest will sit out the opener against West Virginia. (Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports)
Alabama senior linebacker Trey DePriest will sit out the season opener against West Virginia on Saturday because of an undisclosed NCAA rules violation.
Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban emphasized the suspension, without getting into specifics, was for one game only.
Sophomore Reuben Foster will replace DePriest at middle linebacker and junior Reggie Ragland will make his first start at weakside linebacker.
A preseason All-SEC pick, DePriest has started 26 of 40 games in his career. Last year, he totaled 65 tackles, including 7 1/2 for a loss and two sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception.
DePriest was slowed by a knee injury at the start of training camp. Last year, he was suspended from the team before preseason camp began.
Saban said sophomore cornerback Eddie Jackson, who had knee surgery in the spring, would be available Saturday.
“I wouldn’t rule out the fact he can play in this game,” Saban said, according to Al.com. “But I would rather go in to the game thinking we would use him if we needed to rather than pushing him in the game.”
