When Tony Brown returned from an NCAA suspension in early October, the excitement was palpable. Teammates were eager to welcome back a player they called a "maniac" and said would add a "whole lot of energy to the team."

The hype surrounding Brown has always been there since he's been at Alabama. Athletically gifted, Brown ran a 4.34 40-yard dash this past spring that only inspired awe. But his contributions to the team have never quite approached the buzz his potential has generated.

This season, he's been on the field for 35 defensive snaps -- mainly playing when the outcome of the game has been decided. He's also produced six tackles.

Brown's most memorable moment in 2016 may have also been his least favorite. In his first game back against Kentucky, the special teams gunner watched a JK Scott punt roll through his legs and into the end zone as he tried to down the ball near the goal line.

It was an aggravating episode and did nothing to change the impression among his coaches that Brown isn't always the most dependable.

"I think that with every player that you put out there and you give an opportunity to play, you want to know that you can trust a guy to do what he's supposed to do," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "That would be no different with Tony and any other player that we put out there on the field. You know what your assignment is, you know what your key is, you know what your read is, you're going to go do those things and we can trust you to do your job. That's what we want from any player on our team. That's certainly what we'd like to get out of Tony Brown if he gets the opportunity to play in the game."

It's assumed that Brown's role will increase after safety Eddie Jackson fractured his leg in a victory over Texas A&M on Oct. 22. With the depth of the secondary impinged, Brown figures to be used more.

But to what extent remains uncertain.

If Minkah Fitzpatrick moves to safety as he indicated he would, someone would have to replace him at the star -- or slot -- cornerback position in Alabama's nickel defense. Brown is a logical candidate to fill that role. Then again, he could be at the Money spot in the team's dime package.

"I think Tony is definitely going to get more opportunities," Fitzpatrick said. "Probably going to try and use him at the dime spot this week. Hopefully he can do what he has to do now that there's a possibility. Usually when he comes into a game, he does it right, so hopefully he can do that this week."

Based on his comments Wednesday, Saban remains a bit dubious that Brown can.

"He's working hard," Saban said. "He's a really good competitor. The challenge is to stay focused on the things that you need to do to do your job well. He's done a pretty good job of that this week. I think he appreciates the opportunity that he has and wants to make the most of it. We're doing everything we can to help him do that."