LSU linebacker Whit Weeks is making progress toward a return to the field.

Whether he returns this weekend against Alabama remains, quite literally, in doubt.

Weeks was listed as “doubtful” Wednesday on the Southeastern Conference’s first availability report for this weekend’s contests. That’s a change, however, from Weeks being plainly listed as “out” for three straight SEC contests.

Weeks hasn’t played since a Sept. 26 contest against Texas A&M. He suffered a lower-leg injury when he was undercut by a defensive teammate. Weeks has suffered a similar injury in the same leg in three straight seasons.

When he was injured last season, Weeks there were six weeks between his exit and his return, though he wasn’t full strength when he briefly took the field versus Western Kentucky to share the field with his older brother West and younger brother Zach.

Whit is at the six-week mark again, but a consequential game against Alabama probably isn’t one where LSU has much latitude to play a defender who is still working his way back. The Crimson Tide rank 12th nationally in scoring offense at 38.3 points per game.

But the Tigers will have the benefit of tight end Trey’Dez Green, their other No. 7 jersey wearer, in his second game back from a knee injury. Green totaled 50 receiving yards and a touchdown in his return at Auburn before the bye week.

The only starter LSU will not return this season is safety Dashawn Spears, who tore his ACL in the loss at Ole Miss.

It’s possible for someone who is “doubtful” early in the week to play, because quarterback Sam Leavitt was listed as such on the Wednesday report for the Ole Miss game and played. If an athlete is listed as “out” at any point during the week, then they have been ruled out completely.

LSU listed Spears, defensive tackle Richard Anderson, receiver Phillip Wright and linebacker Charles Ross as out for this weekend. Weeks’ brother, Zach, is questionable for the Alabama game.