TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -- Alabama running back Jalston Fowler is expected to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Coach Nick Saban said Monday Fowler will undergo surgery on his left knee "and is most likely going to be out for the season." . He didn't elaborate on the nature of the injury.
"Jalston's been a great player in the program, a great special teams guy, a great backup player for us and a really good attitude guy," Saban said. "A really good competitor. I know he feels badly and we feel badly, too, for him, that he can't be a part and continue to contribute to our team this year."
Fowler, who was injured in the Western Kentucky game last Saturday, is second on the top-ranked Crimson Tide with 85 yards on 11 carries.
The 245-pounder also serves as a lead blocker in the I-formation and is on punt and kick return teams.
"It's going to be real tough," linebacker Nico Johnson said. "He's more like a back like Trent (Richardson). He can run, catch out of the backfield, and he's tough to tackle. So, it's going to be real tough, but we've got enough guys and depth for somebody to step in and fill his role."
Fowler's absence could mean increased roles for Dee Hart, freshman Kenyan Drake and backup fullback Kelly Johnson.
Saban expects noseguard Jesse Williams and cornerback Dee Milliner back for Saturday's game at Arkansas. Both practiced on Monday.
Milliner missed the Western Kentucky game with a strained hip flexor. Williams sustained a concussion in a collision with safety Robert Lester in practice last week. Saban said he passed the concussion test but woke up Saturday with a headache and was held out as a precaution.
