Alabama second-year player Earl Little has been out with a torn labrum in his right shoulder, the defensive back confirmed to AL.com.

His last appearance came in the Crimson Tide’s home win over LSU on Nov. 4. Little said he suffered the injury during the middle of the season and should be healed “before” spring ball in 2024. Little confirmed his rehab timeline during Rose Bowl media days.

“God has a plan for everybody and that was his thing with me. Getting hurt, just taking a step back and having a bigger picture on everything.

“It’s definitely been a learning curve for me. With me being hurt I gathered a lot of things from coaches and players, just building that brotherhood of what it takes to be a champion.”

After a diving, highlight-reel interception in UA’s spring game, Little was a rotational piece through the first two months of the season. He recorded two tackles in Week 1 against Middle Tennessee State and played mostly on special teams.

Little was a four-star prospect from Florida powerhouse American Heritage. He missed the first half of 2022 with another shoulder injury, Saban revealed a year ago. Little eventually appeared in three games, including the Iron Bowl, and retained his redshirt.

The Crimson Tide could lose four starters in its secondary this offseason, either to graduation or the NFL Draft: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Terrion Arnold, Malachi Moore and Jaylen Key. Freshman Caleb Downs started each of UA’s 13 games. Trey Amos, Tony Mitchell and Kristian Story comprise other depth options.

No. 4 Alabama will play No. 1 Michigan on New Year’s Day at 4 p.m. for a spot in the College Football Playoff national championship.

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