Alabama football notes: Ingram 'close,' but maybe not close enough to play Saturday

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Will he or won’t he?

The questions surrounding Mark Ingram’s status for Saturday’s game with Penn State continued Wednesday as the Heisman Trophy winner continues rehabbing the knee he injured last Monday.

Speaking on Wednesday morning’s SEC teleconference, coach Nick Saban said Ingram was “probably not going to play” but he “might be ready by the game.”

Then following the afternoon practice, Saban updated the situation saying Ingram’s progress continues.

“Mark was in gear today for some of the stuff and did some running and all that,” Saban said. “I just don’t know if Mark is going to have enough practice time. He’s getting close, but I don’t know if he can get enough practice time in to be ready to play in the game or not.”

The coaching staff will have a better idea of his availability today. Typically, players who can’t practice on Thursdays before games don’t see the field on Saturday.

“But we’re not pushing Mark back into the game,” Saban said. “We’re not pushing Mark back in this game, we’re not jeopardizing his future or his career or anything else. Until he can go out on the field and practice and gain confidence in his himself and in his physical condition, we will not do that. If there is anybody in the world that can play without practicing, it’s probably Mark because he’s a student of the game.”

Other injured starters linebacker Courtney Upshaw and offensive lineman D.J. Fluker practiced Wednesday after hurting ankles against San Jose State.

Saban scolds boo birds

Saban didn’t hear it at the time, but he had a stern message to those fans who booed San Jose State before Saturday’s game.

He’s no fan of it and hopes it doesn’t continue with another proud program with a long history like Penn State coming to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday.

“I think it would be a damn crying a-- shame if we booed them coming out of the stadium like we did last week’s team. I just don’t understand that. … That’s certainly not what I think a class institution in a class place should do to their own or anyone else.”

Alabama tight end Preston Dial knows what it’s like getting booed on the road.

“Absolutely,” he said. “(At) LSU, Auburn, a lot of those teams. … Personally, It’s a motivating factor. It just adds intensity to the game.”