LSU linebacker Whit Weeks listed doubtful for Saturday's game with Alabama

LSU will probably go into Saturday's game against Alabama at Tiger Stadium without linebacker Whit Weeks. Wednesday night's SEC availability report lists the senior as doubtful, ESPN reported. Weeks broke his leg in the Sept. 26 win over Texas A&M and has missed the four games since.

The new listing is a small step forward. ClutchPoints reported that Weeks had surgery on a fractured right fibula and was listed as out on the previous three SEC reports, so moving up to doubtful suggests his recovery is on track. Lane Kiffin sounded hopeful about Weeks returning before LSU's bye last week, and 247Sports also described the report as an upgrade. Even so, a doubtful player usually doesn't play. Weeks, a former All-SEC pick, made 23 tackles in four games before the injury. He had 170 tackles across his first two seasons in Baton Rouge, but injuries have interrupted his career more than once.

The rest of LSU's report also hurts. According to ClutchPoints, defensive tackle Richard Anderson, wide receiver Phillip Wright, linebacker Charles Ross and safety Dashawn Spears are out. Spears tore his ACL against Ole Miss and is done for the season. Weeks' brother, linebacker Zach Weeks, is questionable. One piece of good news: tight end Trey'Dez Green is available for a second straight game after his knee injury.

Alabama could get several starters back. Wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, center Racin Delgatty, cornerback Zabien Brown and defensive tackle Terrance Green are all listed as questionable, along with running back EJ Crowell. SB Nation noted that Coleman-Williams and Delgatty were both hurt in the Oct. 10 game against Georgia. ESPN reported that Coleman-Williams led the team in receiving before he had arthroscopic knee surgery, and that Crowell is averaging 6.8 yards per carry with four rushing touchdowns.

What it means for Saturday

Both teams are 6-2 and both are coming off a bye. No. 14 LSU hosts No. 5 Alabama on ABC.

The LSU defense has held up well without Weeks. In the four games since his injury, the Tigers allowed 16.5 points per game. That stretch includes a 31-0 shutout of Mississippi State and a 38-17 win at Auburn. The one loss in that span was a 35-34 game at Kentucky. LSU has allowed 16 points per game for the season.

Alabama averages 38.3 points per game, but most of that came early. The Crimson Tide scored at least 45 points in five of their first six games, then scored 17 against Georgia and 10 at Tennessee and lost both. That slump started after Coleman-Williams and Delgatty were hurt. Alabama came back to beat Texas A&M 31-20 before the bye. Whether those two return could matter more on Saturday than whether Weeks does.

The two teams have played two of the same opponents. LSU beat Texas A&M 35-6 at home, while Alabama beat the Aggies by 11. LSU shut out Mississippi State at home, and Alabama beat the Bulldogs 56-23 on the road. Each team has a loss to a ranked opponent, and the winner keeps a stronger place in the playoff picture.

The final availability report before kickoff will show whether Weeks' doubtful listing changes.