Sources: Deontae Lawson, Jaylen Key, Ja'Corey Brooks Remain Out Against Chattanooga

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama will continue to be without linebacker Deontae Lawson (ankle), safety Jaylen Key (quad) and wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks (shoulder) against Chattanooga, sources tell BamaCentral.

All three missed last weekend's game at Kentucky — a 49-21 Crimson Tide win. Lawson and Key were able to practice this week, but only in black injury-designated jerseys. Brooks wasn't a participant in practice all week.

Jermaine Burton also missed last week's game with an illness, but will be ready to play on Saturday against the Mocs (7-3, 6-2 SoCon).

Lawson is second on the team with 52 tackles. He also has 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Saturday will be Lawson's third game missed with injury this season.

Key has 46 tackles and an interception this year at the safety position.

The 2023-24 season continues to be puzzling for Brooks, who caught 54 passes for 866 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first two seasons. This year, he has just three catches for 30 yards in nine appearances.

No. 8 Alabama (9-1, 7-0 SEC) takes on Chattanooga on Saturday for the 14th time. The Crimson Tide leads the series 13-0. The Mocs have come to Tuscaloosa three times since 2009, with the last matchup coming in 2016.

"We’re trying to emphasize with the players — and they’ve responded fairly well — but the number one focus this week needs to be on this game," head coach Nick Saban said on Wednesday. "We need to take care of business in this game."

"Having your mind right, having the right focus on what you want to accomplish and what you want to do, having the right passion for how bad you want to do it, and having the mental toughness to handle tough and difficult situations, handling hard, I think is really, really important."