QB Jacob Coker returns to practice, takes first-team snaps

The panic about quarterback Jacob Coker’s injury has officially subsided.

Coker, who was sidelined with a minor foot injury, returned to practice Wednesday afternoon and according to several media reports, he had few effects from the injury that kept him out just two days.

[Yahoo Sports Fantasy Football: Sign up and join a league today!]

From AL.com:

The fifth-year quarterback was the first quarterback to go through drills, and looked good through most of them. At times Coker struggled on his follow-through and accuracy but he delivered multiple on-the-money passes including one longer pass to Chris Black. A trainer was in Coker's ear a few times throughout the practice, but the Alabama quarterback seemed to be moving around fine during the drills.

While coach Nick Saban hasn’t named a starting quarterback yet, Coker has long been considered the frontrunner after backing up Blake Sims a year ago. Coker, a transfer from Florida State, is one of five quarterbacks vying for the starting job, but Saban did note that only three of those quarterbacks are still in the running.

Coker taking the first snaps in his first practice back more or less confirms that the starting role is his to lose. This spring, redshirt freshman David Cornwell proved to be a strong competitor, but his lack of experience might keep him on the bench for now. Redshirt sophomore Cooper Bateman, redshirt junior Alec Morris and true freshman Blake Barnett, a former five-star recruit, are the other players vying for the starting role.

For more Alabama news, visit TideSports.com.

-----

Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday

And don’t forget to keep up with all of Graham’s thoughts, witty comments and college football discussions on Facebook