Alabama wide receiver Kenny Bell was excused from practice Tuesday for personal reasons but is expected to rejoin the team Wednesday, head coach Nick Saban announced Tuesday.
The announcement came after a series of tweets from Bell made it appear as though he was quitting the team.
According to multiple reports, Bell was not at practice Tuesday.
CBSSports.com’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Bell had informed the team he was quitting due to playing time and that he could eventually return to the team.
But Saban made it clear that Bell is still on the team.
“He’s done a great job in this program,” Saban said. “He’s played a lot of good football for us. He’s made a lot of big plays. He’s been a good teammate to a lot of guys on the team and certainly somebody that I have a tremendous amount of respect for as a competitor. Sometimes we have personal things that we need to get ironed out, and he had a day today to do that.”
Bell tweeted late Tuesday evening: “I’m back with the team!! Just needed time to myself for a day but I couldn’t leave my boy @10AJMcCarron we ended this run together. #16”
Saban said Bell approached him and the two had a “discussion” and that Bell had some “personal things he needed to iron out.”
“We’re fully behind Kenny,” cornerback John Fulton said. “That’s like my brother. Speak to him every day; spoke to him today. Great guy. Takes care of his children like that. He’s a great guy.”
Bell caught 17 receptions last year for 431 yards and three touchdowns, and his speed makes him one of the Crimson Tide’s most dangerous deep threats. He had receptions last year of 85, 68, 57 and 54 yards before a broken leg against Auburn ended his season.
He was listed as one of the starting receivers on the Crimson Tide’s preseason depth chart and was targeted once in the season opener.
Bell sent a string of tweets this afternoon:
..I know I’m going to lose so many friends and followers and get more negative talk from people but truth is I Dnt care
— Kenny bell (@TheKennyBell7) September 3, 2013
..it’s been a nice run but I’m hanging up my cleats — Kenny bell (@TheKennyBell7) September 3, 2013
..time too focus on my responsibilities MY kiDS — Kenny bell (@TheKennyBell7) September 3, 2013
..I’ve made so many memories here @ Alabama but some things you gotta let go
— Kenny bell (@TheKennyBell7) September 3, 2013
Salute to the team y’all keep grinding and win that championship ?
— Kenny bell (@TheKennyBell7) September 3, 2013
