Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper left last Saturday's victory over Western Carolina in the first quarter with a bruised knee, but he should be fine for this week's Iron Bowl showdown with Auburn, coach Nick Saban told reporters Sunday.
Others who were banged-up Saturday but should be OK for Auburn include offensive tackle Cam Robinson, fullback Jalston Fowler and defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson. Three starters were held out of the Western Carolina game -- linebacker Denzel Devall, running back T.J. Yeldon and wide receiver DeAndrew White -- but should be fine for Auburn. Saban told reporters that all three could have played against Western Carolina, but that coaches thought sitting out would be better.
Cooper arguably is Alabama's most important offensive player. He is third in the nation in receiving yards (1,349) and is No. 5 nationally with 90 receptions. He has had six 100-yard games and two 200-yard games this season; he also has had three games with at least two TD receptions and nine with at least eight catches.
In other injury news:
» Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin told reporters that freshman DE Myles Garrett should play Thursday night against LSU. He missed A&M's most recent game, a Nov. 15 loss to Missouri, with an undisclosed injury. Garrett has set the SEC freshman record for sacks with 11.
» Miami WR Herb Waters had to be taken off the field on a stretcher in the third quarter against Virginia last Saturday but was able to fly home with the team. Coach Al Golden told reporters Sunday that Waters has a strained neck and that his status for this week's game against Pittsburgh is unknown.
» Minnesota TB David Cobb left last Saturday's win over Nebraska with a slight hamstring injury, but he tweeted Saturday night, "I'll be ready to go next Saturday!" when the Golden Gophers meet Wisconsin with the Big Ten West Division title on the line. Cobb is ninth nationally in rushing at 130.0 yards per game.
» Clemson true freshman QB Deshaun Watson, who missed last Saturday's win over Georgia State with a sprained knee ligament, is expected to practice Monday afternoon, coach Dabo Swinney told reporters Sunday. Clemson plays archrival South Carolina this weekend, and if Watson can't go, senior Cole Stoudt would get the start.
» Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson told reporters Sunday that starting DE DaVonte Lambert -- the team's leader in sacks -- probably won't play against Alabama because of a leg injury suffered in last Saturday's win over Samford.
» Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald told reporters Monday that starting QB Trevor Siemian will miss the rest of the seasn with a torn ACL. Northwestern plays Illinois this week; both teams are 5-6, and the winner becomes bowl-eligible and will get a bid. Zack Oliver will get the start. He is a better runner but not as good a passer as Siemian.
» The status of Arkansas QB Brandon Allen, who left last Saturday's rout of Mississippi in the second quarter with a hip injury, for Friday's game with Missouri is unknown. "I think he'll be back probably sooner than later," Hogs coach Bret Bielema said Saturday night. If Allen can't play, his brother, Austin Allen, will start.
» Florida QB Treon Harris, who suffered a bruised knee in last Saturday's win over Eastern Kentucky, will start next Saturday at Florida State, coach Will Muschamp said Monday. Former starter Jeff Driskel played most of the second half against EKU, but Muschamp said Harris is fine.
» Michigan State starting G Travis Jackson suffered a leg injury on the Spartans' first drive of the game last Saturday against Rutgers, but coach Mark Dantonio told reporters Sunday that Jackson would return this season, though not necessarily this week against Penn State.
» Massachusetts QB Blake Frohnapfel, sixth nationally in passing with 3,345 yards, appears likely to miss his second consecutive game with a bone bruise in his right leg. He missed last week's loss to Akron; the Minutemen play Buffalo on Friday.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
