Alabama vs Notre Dame Injury and COVID Report/Updates for Rose Bowl of CFP Semifinals

• #4 Notre Dame (10-1) and #1 Alabama (11-0) meet in the Rose Bowl on January 1st, 2021 at 4:00 PM Eastern
• Both teams stayed on campus for the holiday break and are currently without any Covid-19 related issues
• Here are the key injuries for both programs heading into their College Football Playoff Semifinal

The Rose Bowl between Alabama and Notre Dame is almost here. According to the oddsmakers, Alabama should run away with this one barring any setbacks.

The Crimson Tide are listed as 20-point favorites, and you need all the help you can get deciding where to place your money. We have you covered with this in-depth injury report for both programs.

Alabama Crimson Tide Key Injuries

The good news? Neither program is dealing with any Covid-19 related issues at this point in time. The bad news, however, Alabama does have some serious injuries that could cause problems in this game. Center Landon Dickerson is out for the season after undergoing successful knee surgery.

The Rimington Trophy finalist was a key cog in the offensive line, credited with helping running back Najee Harris with his elite run blocking skills. In his place in the middle of the offensive line will be redshirt senior Chris Owens. While Owens is a veteran in college football terms, there’s little doubting it’s a downgrade that needs to be considered.

All the respect for Landon Dickerson🙏

pic.twitter.com/9Oxp413LTC

— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 20, 2020

Defensive lineman LaBryan Ray has been battling injuries all year and is unlikely to suit up against Notre Dame. The Crimson Tide are deep at the position, but it’s still an injury that has people around the program talking.

One other injury of note is wide receiver, Jaylen Waddle. His absence has allowed fellow receiver DeVonta Smith to flourish and quite possibly capture the Heisman Trophy. That said, Alabama would of course love to see the return of Waddle at some point in the College Football Playoff. Waddle had his walking boot removed and is doing light workouts but is extremely unlikely to return for this game.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Key Injuries

There are positives and negatives to the Notre Dame injury report. Let’s start with the name not listed, wide receiver Braden Lenzy. Head coach Brian Kelly was very clear in his press conference that not only will Lenzy dress for the Rose Bowl, but he will be all systems go. The speedy receiver having a clean bill of health is great news for quarterback Ian Book and the offense.

One addendum to Braden Lenzy’s 51-yard touchdown. When’s the last time Notre Dame could “out-athlete” USC with an offensive skill position player? Not talking about beating them up physically, talking about just blowing right by them with speed. pic.twitter.com/tYX2CPJJG5

— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) October 13, 2019

Two defensive tackles are on the list, and that’s bad news for Notre Dame. Jayson Ademilola will miss the Rose Bowl after undergoing knee surgery, and fellow tackle Jacob Lacey also lands on the injury report. Lacey is questionable and would be a big boost if he were able to take the field.

He’s one of only two defensive tackles on the team that weighs more than 285 pounds. Considering the Fighting Irish are facing an opponent with a big offensive line that loves to run the ball, having size and athleticism on the inside would be a big boost.

If Lacey does not dress for the game, Notre Dame will be left with Kurt Hinish, Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, and Rylie Mills as the only three interior linemen listed on the depth chart. The Crimson Tide offense is a juggernaut, if they were to face an undermanned and undersized defensive front, taking the over on all of their offensive prop bets may be a smart idea.