Crimson Red Sports

"Guys were still up here getting treatment, banged up, ice, cold tubs, hot tubs," Hightower said. "It felt good, but a lot of us were still up here watching film. It felt good just to sit back relax and not have to be out in the heat for one day."

The Crimson Tide opens the season Sept. 3 at home against Kent State. Hightower said he has seen progress throughout camp, and thanks in part to a day off, Monday's morning practice was no exception.

"Usually, the first practice after a scrimmage, sometimes it goes downhill for the first part of practice," Hightower said. "There was definitely not a show of that (Monday) - everybody was out and ready to go."