Alabama’s inside linebacker group will be without one of its most promising players for at least the time being.

Sophomore Ale Kaho wasn’t at the Crimson Tide’s practice on Friday and it’s unclear when or if he’ll be return to practice with the team.

“He’s got some issues that he’s dealing with," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "We’re trying to be supportive of him every way that we can. I think that we’ll just continue to try to help him every way that we can. I don’t know if at some point in time he’ll be ready to come back and play football or not.”

Kaho was expected to challenge for the Tide’s starting inside linebacker job next to Dylan Moses.

The former four-star recruit had a team-high seven tackles on the kickoff coverage team last season.

Matt Zenitz is an Alabama and Auburn reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mzenitz.