COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier expects injured tight end Weslye Saunders to play this weekend against No. 2 Alabama.

Saunders had started the team's first five games. However, he was out with a sprained ankle for the 22nd-ranked Gamecocks 28-26 win over Kentucky last Saturday. Spurrier says Saunders was running around OK at the team's practice Monday night and was on target to return against the Crimson Tide.

Saunders, a 6-foot-5, 280-pound junior, is the team's third-leading receiver this season with 14 catches for 156 yards.