Tide pair out for spring after surgeries

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama coach Nick Saban announced Tuesday that running back Eddie Lacy and offensive lineman Arie Kouandjio will miss the entirety of spring practice recovering from surgery during the offseason.

Lacy, who was the backup to Trent Richardson during the Tide's championship run, was the expected frontrunner at tailback coming into the spring. In his absence, junior Jalston Fowler, who rushed for 395 yards and four touchdowns as the third back, and freshmen T.J. Yeldon and Dee Hart could make a push up the depth chart.

"All those guys are going to get an equal opportunity," Saban said in an informal session with beat writers. "Jalston has probably played the most and he's had a good offseason. It's not a bad thing that those guys are going to get a lot of reps, a lot of turns. It's a good thing."

Saban also announced that Duron Carter, Ronald Carswell and Michael Bowman remain suspended. The three had been suspended during the 2011 bowl season. Carter, who began his career at Ohio State, transferred to Alabama last year but did not play a down.

Tyler Love, the former No. 1 offensive tackle in the country out of high school, and Undra Billingsley have both graduated and will forgo their fifth year of eligibility, according to Saban.

Alex Scarborough covers University of Alabama athletics for TideNation. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Alex Scarborough | email

Reporter, TideNation

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• Reporter for TideNation
• Covers Alabama Crimson Tide sports and recruiting
• Joined ESPN in 2012