A banged-up Alabama football team took a few more licks on Saturday afternoon. Thankfully for the Crimson Tide, none of the injuries prevented a fourth-straight conference win.

Durning No. 10 UA’s (6-1, 4-0 SEC) win over Arkansas (2-5, 0-4), tight end CJ Dippre, linebacker Trezmen Marshall and defensive lineman Tim Smith all left because of injuries. Only Smith would return to the field in the 24-21 final.

“I don’t think they’re bad hurt. One guy got a pulled muscle, the other guy’s got bruised ribs,” Saban said postgame, refraining from assigning an injury to each player. “I don’t, I can’t tell you the extent of the injuries. I don’t even think we know that yet.”

Dippre left the game and was later ruled out with a lower-body extremity injury. He returned to the sideline on crutches. The Tide deployed Amari Niblack (two catches, 43 yards, one touchdown), redshirt freshman Danny Lewis and JUCO transfer Miles Kitslelman, at times, to replace the Maryland transfer.

The Tide entered the day without starting defensive back Malachi Moore. The absence forced the secondary to reconfigure with Terrion Arnold and Calen Downs taking snaps at STAR. Kristian Story took snaps at safety, as did Jaylen Key. Trey Amos also worked on the boundary at cornerback.

When Alabama faced an offense with 12-personnel, two tight ends and two wide receivers, it played Downs near the line of scrimmage because of his physicality in stopping the run. When against three wide receivers, Alabama put Arnold at STAR. Quarterback KJ Jefferson finished 14-of-24 passing for 150 yards and two touchdowns.

“I think Kristian Story stepped up and did a pretty good job out there. No. 9 did a pretty good job, Trey did a pretty good job for us,” Saban said. Those guys we’re able to take advantage of those opportunities. We’re hopeful, Malachi actually even went out and warmed up today. We weren’t going to play him in the game but he’s getting close so hopefully he can continue to make progress.”

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].