Nate Oats says Alabama forward Bol Bowen is expected to play Saturday

Alabama coach Nate Oats said forward Bol Bowen practiced and is expected to play Saturday; guard LaBaron Philon has a thigh bruise and missed practice, and several other players remain sidelined with medical issues.

Alabama travels to Auburn on Saturday for the first of two regular-season matchups. Coach Nate Oats spoke with the media about the team's unusually high number of injuries and provided a positive update on a forward. Bol Bowen practiced and Oats said he expects Bowen to play in the upcoming game. Oats also noted other players remain out or are recovering and praised trainer Clarke Holter's work. Key details: - Nate Oats said Bol Bowen practiced and is expected to play Saturday after exiting Sunday's game with a leg injury and missing the midweek contest. - LaBaron Philon suffered a thigh bruise late in the first half against Texas A&M, left the game briefly, returned for the second half, and was not able to practice Wednesday as he continues to recover. - Graduate guard Houston Mallette is the only scholarship player to appear in all 22 games this season. - Forward Collins Onyejiaka and wing Davion Hannah are out with medical issues, and forward Keitenn Bristow is recovering from a long-term lower-body injury. - Oats described the team as having an unusually high and varied set of injuries and credited trainer Clarke Holter for his work with the players. Summary: Bol Bowen's expected availability is a timely update ahead of Saturday's game at Auburn and will affect Alabama's available roster for that matchup. Several other players remain sidelined or are in recovery, and their statuses will continue to be reported as the season progresses.