Alabama will be without a veteran defensive lineman for the rest of the season.

Senior Justin Eboigbe won’t return this fall after injuring his neck, Saban said Wednesday on the SEC teleconference. When asked if he’d be back on the field this fall, “I don’t think so,” was Saban’s response.

“He had a procedure done that would enhance his opportunity to be able to play in the future,” Saban said, “but I don’t think that’s going to come this season.”

Eboigbe appeared in the first four games of the season but did not play in the road game at Arkansas on Oct. 1. Saban announced his injury after that without a timetable to return.

The senior from Forest Park, Georgia recorded 19 tackles in each of the previous seasons. He had 11 stops in the first four games of this season.

Alabama was without two rotation players on the defensive line on Saturday with DJ Dale and Jaheim Oatis watching in sweatpants from the sideline. Saban after the game said he hopes to get one of them back in the near future.