Oats Provides Injury Update Prior to SEC/ACC Challenge v. Clemson

Despite a strong start to the season with wins over then-No. 5 St. John's, No. 8 Illinois, and a 2-1 showing in Las Vegas last week, the Crimson Tide are yet to become fully healthy.

Oats first ruled freshman big man Collins Onyejiaka out for Wednesday's matchup. Onyejiaka, who has been out with an undisclosed medical condition, has not played since Alabama's upset win over St. John's on November 8.

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"Collins [Onyejiaka] is still out," Oats said Tuesday, "He's getting testing done by our medical staff. Hopefully by the end of the week, we'll have more answers and a better idea of what he is going to be able to do moving forward."

Oats also provided an update on guards Jalil Bethea and Latrell Wrightsell Jr., and forward Keitenn Bristow. All of whom are dealing with lower-leg injuries.

Wrightsell Jr. missed the entire Players' Era Festival with a right leg injury that was deemed not serious and precautionary, while Keitenn Bristow missed the Maryland game after suffering a right leg injury in the win over UNLV.

Miami transfer Jalil Bethea, who sustained a foot injury in mid-September, has yet to make his Crimson Tide debut.

"Wrightsell, Jalil, and Keitenn all saw the foot and ankle specialist. They've all got lower-leg injuries," stated Oats, "They're all day-to-day so not sure if any of them will quite be ready for Clemson. We'll see."

Oats continued to add, "They're all in different aspects of practice today. Some a little bit more involved than others. We'll see where they are at tomorrow. We don't want to rush any of them back; we want to make sure they're healthy by the time SEC play comes. Rushing guys back from injuries is not the way to do that. We'll see where those guys are at in the morning based on practice today."

Bethea did hint a return on Instagram yesterday, posting a famous picture of former Golden State Warrior and Dallas Maverick wing Klay Thompson prior to his return to NBA action after missing more than two seasons, signaling that the sophomore guard may be making his debut shortly.

The Crimson Tide tip off against Clemson Wednesday night at 6:15 p.m. CT on ESPNU.

For more Alabama Baseball, Basketball, and Football content from Simon Besnoy, follow him on Twitter at @SimonBesnoy and stay tuned to Tide1009.com for daily news.