McClain feels for LB teammate

When Dont'a Hightower went to the sidelines, the other half of No. 3 Alabama's formidable inside linebacker duo took it hard.

Rolando McClain wasn't thinking what losing one of the Crimson Tide's top defenders Saturday would mean to the team either. A day later, Alabama's fears were realized when Hightower was diagnosed with a torn ligament in his left knee that would require surgery and end his season.

"He's not just my teammate, he's like a little brother to me," McClain said Monday. "We've been like that since he got here. When he went out, it was like a part of me went out."

Indeed, the two were frequently mentioned as a package deal. The All-American McClain and his wing man, regarded as one of the nation's best linebacker tandems and a key part of the No. 2 rated defense.

The Tide (4-0), which visits Kentucky on Saturday, does have options for replacing the 6-foot-4, 255-pound Hightower, a sophomore who was an immediate starter a year ago.

Sophomore Jerrell Harris was battling for one of the starting linebacker spots in fall camp, but has missed four games because of NCAA suspension. The Tide found out on the eve of Saturday's 35-7 win over Arkansas that Harris would be allowed to return in three weeks against South Carolina.

Against Arkansas, Alabama coach Nick Saban shifted Cory Reamer over to Hightower's spot, moved Eryk Anders to the other outside linebacker spot and replaced Anders with backup Courtney Upshaw.

Saban said that lineup was just the easiest in a crunch and it could get shuffled against Kentucky.

Tebow Feeling Better: Tim Tebow could be back in the huddle in time for Florida's biggest game of the season.

Coach Urban Meyer said Monday that his star quarterback was feeling better and eating well two days after sustaining a concussion at Kentucky. Although Tebow still has "a little bit of a headache," Meyer hopes he will be able to play when the top-ranked Gators (4-0) return to the field Oct. 10 at LSU.

The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner was put through a battery of tests Monday and was scheduled for more today, Meyer said. Meyer said he did not know what grade concussion Tebow has.

Meyer said Tebow had no neck or spine issues.

SEC Honors: Georgia receiver A.J. Green, South Carolina linebacker Eric Norwood and LSU return man Chad Jones were named SEC players of the week.

Green earned offensive honors after catching eight passes for 153 yards and a touchdown against Arizona State.

Norwood had 10 tackles, two sacks and a partially blocked punt in an upset of Mississippi.

Jones returned a punt 93 yards for a touchdown to open the fourth quarter in LSU's 30-26 win over Mississippi State. He also had a key pass deflection on the goal line on a late defensive stand.

The offensive lineman of the week was Florida tackle Marcus Gilbert, while defensive line honors went to Georgia end Justin Houston. Alabama tailback Trent Richardson claimed freshman honors.

In other news:

n SEC officials announced that South Carolina's Oct. 10 game against the Kentucky Wildcats will have a 12:30 p.m. kickoff. Officials said the game will be telecast by FSN. The game marks the Gamecocks' first daytime kickoff this season.