Alabama returned to the practice field, for the first time since the end of the regular season, in preparation for the Sugar Bowl versus Oklahoma on Jan. 2.

Senior wide receiver Kevin Norwood said he was sore after the first day of practice. And it wasn’t just a knee or shoulder that was bothering Norwood.

“Everything,” he said. “Just got to get in that cold tub.”

But the Crimson Tide players were excited to get back to work with the challenge of preparing for the Sooners ahead of them.

“We’re fired up to play Oklahoma,” junior defensive lineman Jeoffrey Pagan said. “It’s not for a national championship or anything, but we’re going to go into it like it is. We’re going to try to finish this season as strongly as possible.”

Senior right guard Anthony Steen is likely out for the Sugar Bowl after having surgery on a partially torn labrum. Freshman offensive lineman Grant Hill saw first-team snaps at right guard in Steen’s absence Tuesday, and Alphonse Taylor and Kellen William will also work there.

“We have several options,” coach Nick Saban said. “I think we want to try to look at all those things these first four practices when we’re really sort of fundamentally working on things and see what the best combination will be for us.”

Junior safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix returned to practice after undergoing a knee scope earlier in December. He was a full participant in defensive back drills Tuesday and appeared to be at full strength.

Safety Nick Perry and defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson returned to practice in black, no-contact jerseys. Perry sustained a shoulder injury in the practices ahead of the Colorado State game and underwent shoulder surgery. Tomlinson underwent knee surgery after Alabama’s season opener against Virginia Tech.

Saban said they were only out on the practice field to take part in individual drills. They will not play in the bowl game.