TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Terrell Lewis said he is 100-percent healthy.

That is welcome news for Alabama fans wanting to see the freak linebacker on the field this fall after the Washington D.C. product has only appeared in a combined four games the last two years.

But what will have them overjoyed is what Nick Saban said about the redshirt junior Saturday.

“We’ll probably try to manage his reps to some degree, but he practiced all day yesterday, made a lot of plays, did a really good job,” Saban said. “He’s worked hard all summer. We keep these catapult numbers on guys, in terms of what their explosive movements are and how much they can duplicate it, and he’s back to a level higher than he was before he got hurt two years ago.

“So, we’re really pleased with the work that he’s done and how he’s recovered. I think we want to try to manage him so he can be productive and getting him through this season is important. He’s a good leader on our team.”

Lewis was held back in the spring and didn’t participate in the annual A-Day Game because of swelling in his knee. But now that he has been through an entire offseason, that doesn’t occur anymore.

Lewis only sported a sleeve on his right leg at Friday’s first preseason practice. He was second through individual drills behind fifth-year senior Anfernee Jennings, and with Christian Miller now a member of the Carolina Panthers, a now-healthy Lewis is set to start at Sam linebacker.

And he’s excited.

Alabama linebacker Terrell Lewis

“I’m good. I’m 100 percent, I would say,” Lewis said Saturday. “There’s nothing that’s holding me back from doing anything. I feel real good now. As far as the spring, strength-wise, I wasn’t where I wanted to be as far as being able to hold the point of attack and go against 300-pound linemen. But now, staying focused with rehab and stuff like that got me right. And getting stronger and then just getting more comfortable with being back on the field, that helped me a lot.”

Lewis said he and redshirt sophomore Christopher Allen, who also missed the 2018 season with a knee injury, leaned on each other during the rehab process, just like he and Miller did in 2017.

Jennings, Lewis and Allen enter fall camp as Alabama’s top-three outside linebackers, and per their head coach, the trio that has dealt with past injuries are doing well at the start of the preseason.

“We have three guys there right now who, I think, can be very productive players,” Saban said. “Anfernee Jennings has done a really, really good job around here. He’s a good leader and very productive player. And Chris didn’t get to play much last year because he was injured, but we had big plans for him last year, too. So, hopefully, we can stay healthy at that position. That will be a real plus for our team.

“And I think we’ve got some young newcomers that might be able to contribute at the position, as well.”

UPDATING OTHER INJURIES

Saban confirmed tight end Miller Forristall and LaBryan Ray are limited to open camp because of injuries they sustained over the summer, but he also announced an injury to cornerback Nigel Knott.

“We do have a couple players that will be out for, not an extended period of time, but Miller Forristall had a foot injury, which slowed him down a little bit for the summer. He will likely be back in a few days,” Saban said. “LaBryan Ray had an ankle injury also in the summer, and he will probably be back in a week or so. Nigel Knott has some medical issues that we’re trying to work through, and it’s a little bit undetermined as to when he’ll be able to get out on the field and go to work.”

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

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