Who will line up for Alabama football at quarterback? That’s the dominant Week 1 question for the Crimson Tide. Yet, without the release of a depth chart, there are uncertainties littered throughout the roster. And that’s before considering injuries.

Thankfully for the No. 4 Tide, there don’t seem to be too many ailments heading into the regular season.

Nick Saban provided the latest on Monday when asked about UA’s safeties. While freshman Caleb Downs and transfer Jaylen Key have done a “really good job” adjusting, junior DeVonta Smith has seen his opportunity slip away due to injury.

“Smitty’s been out with his foot for a while and we certainly think that he would be in the mix if he were healthy,” Saban said. “Kristian Story is a dependable guy at the position. So that’s kind of where it’s at right now.”

Smith, a former four-star from Ohio, had been a special teams player his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa. This offseason had seen a potential elevation, with Smith working with other projected starters during the Tide’s Fan Day practice on Aug. 5. Saban said UA was “pleased” with Smith’s progress, while his teammates said Smith was showing a better understanding of the playbook.

“He’s a hard worker. He’s got bigger and stronger,” Saban said of Smith on Aug. 6. “He’s got really good speed. He’s been a very good special teams player for us in the past. I think his knowledge and experience is starting to sort of come to fruition in the secondary. He’s very conscientious of not making the mental errors that have been a little bit of an Achilles heel in the past.”

Aside from Smith, it’s been a relatively healthy preseason for Alabama. Five-star running back Justice Haynes missed a few practices two weeks ago, including the second scrimmage. It’s unclear if Smith or Haynes will miss this Saturday’s 6:30 p.m. kickoff against Middle Tennessee.

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