Jumbo Package: Wednesday, October 5th

Alabama practice report- Al.com

— Wideout ArDarius Stewart, who didn't play in the previous two games because of a sprained left knee, was back on the field for the second consecutive day. He was the first player in line during receiver drills and was followed by Calvin Ridley, Cam Sims and Gehrig Dieter.

— Running back Damien Harris, who carried the ball twice against Kentucky last Saturday following the high-ankle sprain he suffered the previous week, was wearing a sleeve over his right leg.

—Lester Cotton was given some repetitions at right guard with the first-team offensive line, replacing Alphonse Taylor.

ArDarius Stewart is back in practice this week. I’d expect to see him for a few plays early on against Arkansas for the coaches to get a feel for how his knee will hold out— but expect him to be on a short leash.

Damien Harris will likely get more playing time this week than he did last week, though his presence may not even be all that important.

Why, you ask?

JOSHUA JACOBS, THAT’S WHY

Quantifying the amazing elusiveness of Alabama's Joshua Jacobs

Pro Football Focus said it was one of the best of the weekend in all of college football. Jacobs forced ten missed tackles and gained 68 yards after contact. According to the website, he led the nation with an elusive rating of 223.7, which was off the charts.

Ten missed tackles is astronomical. This is Trent Richardson circa 2011 levels of ridiculousness. Obviously, PFF grades should always be taken about as seriously as either of the presidential candidates (#NOPOLITICS), but he had to have had a great game to be rated that high.

In regards to Jacobs, I would say we give up trying to compare him to any former Nick Saban running back and let him forge ahead with his own style.

Alabama Football: Jeremy Pruitt, Alabama Defense Very Undervalued-Bamahammer.com

Let’s look at the body of work so far this season by the Alabama defense. They have allowed 10 or less points in four of the five games played. They have 13 sacks so far this season (about 2.5 per game) and 24 total tackles for loss. The D also has 5 forced fumbles, 3 interceptions and has allowed just one TD in the red zone. I’d say that’s not much of a drop off at all.

Jeremy Pruitt has been outstanding. Granted, he did inherit a bevy of senior players who will all be drafter sooner, rather than later, in the upcoming NFL Draft, but he’s made his mark so far. He took the blueprint that had been build by Nick Saban and Kirby Smart and he changed to parts that had gotten stale under Kirby. Where teams used to be able to find success regularly on third down, they aren’t anymore.

Time will tell if Pruitt can keep up the work after this group of seniors depart, but I, for one, think we are in good hands.

CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm: Alabama would be No. 2 in College Football Playoff rankings- Seccountry.com

CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm said Ohio State would be No. 1 if the CFP rankings would be out this week — not Alabama. Although the Crimson Tide are ranked No. 1 in the AP and Coaches Poll, the Buckeyes aren’t very far behind at No. 2.

Palm tried to think like the CFP selection committee would, taking into account strength of schedule, dominance, etc.

After thinking it through, Palm said the committee would slot in Alabama just behind the Buckeyes would going by the season results through the first five weeks.

Here’s Palm on Alabama:

“The difference between Alabama and Ohio State to this point is that Ole Miss put a scare into the Tide.”

Well, Palm, whatever it takes to generate clicks I guess. Were the shoe on the other foot, the media would likely be praising Ohio State for their resilience against a top-flight team with arguably the best quarterback in college football.

Rashaan Evans is 100 percent, details recent injury- 247sports.com

Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans recorded a season-high five tackles in the Crimson Tide’s 34-6 win over Kentucky this past weekend, and a week of rest allowed the junior linebacker to return to full health.

Evans was limited in practice ahead of Alabama’s Week 4 game against Kent State, and he did not suit up for the home game against the Golden Flashes because of an injury, which he revealed Tuesday during interviews.

“Healthwise, I’m 100 percent now,” Evans said. “The first few weeks I had like a groin injury. I was suffering from that for like a couple weeks there. The Kent State game, I got a chance to have a week off, and now I’m back.”

Evans said the setback was “unexpected” but was something he felt the coaching staff needed to know. Receiving a week to heal his injured groin “was probably one of the best things I could’ve done for the injury,” he said.

Speaking from experience, groin injuries WILL NOT go away without doing absolutely nothing for a few weeks, at least. They’re nagging muscle problems that will affect almost any movement direction in your lower body. It seems like nothing except for sitting still is safe.

Evans had a great game against Kentucky last week, so now that he’s healthy, we will hopefully see some of that promise of becoming a “secret weapon” that we saw in last year’s national championship game.

Tide in the NFL: Tracking Alabama players in Week 4- 247sports.com

I went ahead and copied 247’s entire compiled list of Alabama players in the NFL last week. We all know the record day Julio set last week, but players such as Mark Ingram, T.J. Yeldon, and Mark Barron all had great outings as well. Jarran Reed is a full time starter, but was out this week with a hip injury.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Miami Dolphins

32 Kenyan Drake, RB -- 2 carries, 15 yards, 2 tackles65 Anthony Steen, OL -- DID NOT PLAY (INACTIVE)

27 Dre Kirkpatrick, CB -- DID NOT PLAY (INACTIVE)5 AJ McCarron, QB -- DID NOT PLAY (COACH’S DECISION)

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts

46 Carson Tinker, LS -- started at long snapper2

4 T.J. Yeldon, RB -- 14 carries, 71 yards, 4 receptions, 46 yards

78 Ryan Kelly, OC -- started at center

Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans

25 Kareem Jackson, DB -- 3 tackles, 1 pass breakup

45 Jalston Fowler, FB -- started at fullback

22 Derrick Henry, RB -- 3 carries, 9 yards

49 Rashad Johnson, FS -- 8 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass breakup

70 Chance Warmack, OG -- DID NOT PLAY (INACTIVE)

Washington Redskins vs. Cleveland Browns

74 Arie Kouandjio, OG -- started at left guard

New York Jets vs. Seattle Seahawks

93 Jarran Reed, DT -- DID NOT PLAY (INACTIVE)

77 James Carpenter, OG -- started at left guard, 1 tackle

New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills

54 Dont'a Hightower, LB -- 8 tackles, 1 pass breakup, 1 QB hit

24 Cyrus Jones, CB -- 2 kickoff returns, 30 yards, 1 punt return, 0 yards, 1 fumble, 1 tackles

71 Cyrus Kouandjio, OT -- DID NOT PLAY (INACTIVE)

Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers

11 Julio Jones, WR -- 12 receptions, 300 yards, 1 touchdown

91 Courtney Upshaw, LB -- DID NOT PLAY (INACTIVE)

Baltimore Ravens vs. Oakland Raiders

57 C.J. Mosley, LB -- 9 tackles

89 Amari Cooper, WR -- 5 receptions, 48 yards

Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions

95 Wallace Gilberry, DE -- started at defensive end

91 A'Shawn Robinson, DT -- 1 tackle, 1 TFL

Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams

69 Evan Mathis, OG -- started at right guard

91 Ed Stinson, DT -- 3 tackles

26 Mark Barron, LB/S -- 7 tackles, 1 pass breakup, 1 interception

San Diego Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints

76 D.J. Fluker, OL -- started at right tackle

41 Roman Harper, S -- 1 tackle

22 Mark Ingram, RB -- 18 carries, 56 yards, 1 touchdown, 6 receptions, 49 yards

San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys

92 Quinton Dial, DT -- 3 tackles

Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Giants

72 Andre Smith, OT -- started at right tackle

21 Landon Collins, SS -- 10 tackles, 1 tackle for loss