TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama linebacker VanDarius Cowan was absent from the last two Crimson Tide spring practices, and Nick Saban explained exactly why Tuesday.

“Look, I’m not going to be specific here, but we have rules about academics here,” Saban said in a press conference. “We check guys in terms of what they’re supposed to do and we define the standard of expectation that we have for class attendance, tutors, study table. And when guys do not do this to the standard that we’ve created for all the players here, they can’t practice or play until they get it right.

“And that’s basically what we’re trying to from an academic standpoint, which is what all the players come here to do. We want to create the right habits for them so that they can get an education and develop a career off the field. So, if a player’s not doing that and we have to take something away from them that’s going to change their behavior, then that’s one of the ways that we do it.

“He is making good progress, and hopefully he’ll be back in practice soon.”

Cowan, a sophomore linebacker, was not spotted Tuesday or Saturday during the media viewing periods of practice. He had been practicing with Alabama’s inside linebackers.

Cowan earned his first game action of 2017 against Tennessee and also played against LSU, Mississippi State, Mercer, Auburn, Clemson and Georgia. He recorded one quarterback hurry against LSU and totaled his first two career tackles in the win over Mercer.

A former 4-star recruit out of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Cowan was the No. 4-ranked outside linebacker and 78th overall prospect in 2017, according to the 247Sports Composite.

Alabama will practice again Thursday, March 29, at approximately 3:30 p.m. CT.

Contact Charlie Potter by 247Sports' personal messaging or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter).