Saban said he expects “a full recovery” for Petitbon. Still, it seems extremely likely he will miss the 2016 season.
While junior Bradley Bozeman and senior Alphonse Taylor are the likely starters at guard, coaches were high on Petitbon. Taylor is a returning starter, but the other guard spot is vacant because Ross Pierschbacher — a starter at the position last season — has moved to center to replace the departed Ryan Kelly.
Petitbon (6 feet 4, 300 pounds) was a four-star prospect in the 2015 recruiting cycle. He was considered a national top-70 player and one of the top five guards nationally.