Alabama State could have another quarterback option available when the Hornets face Jackson State on Saturday.

Andrew Body, who has not played since sustaining a wrist injury, is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery, and coach Eddie Robinson Jr. said he could be active.

Robinson said he recently learned that Body would be cleared to play with a cast, potentially opening the door for the quarterback to contribute against Jackson State. However, how much Body can participate in practice this week will help determine his availability.

“Actually, just found out today that he’ll be able to play from the standpoint of the cast,” Robinson said this week. “But we’ll see how that looks just from the standpoint of how much work he can get this week.”

The update offers some optimism for Alabama State as it prepares for one of its biggest games of the season. Body’s potential return would give the Hornets another experienced option at quarterback, although Robinson indicated that he does not expect an immediate change to the team’s quarterback hierarchy.

Aaron Frye, who was most recently named FCS Stats Perform National Freshman of the Week, has played well enough to maintain control of the offense, and Robinson suggested that the team will continue to lean on him against Jackson State.

“From just where Frye’s been playing and the things he’s been doing, yeah, I think it’s more or less Frye’s team and he’s running it,” Robinson said.

Still, Robinson wants Body involved in some capacity.

Body’s importance to Alabama State has extended beyond his availability on Saturdays. Despite his injury, he has remained engaged with the program, helping coach the other quarterbacks and providing leadership in the locker room.

Robinson specifically credited Body with helping the quarterbacks understand game situations, handle adversity and maintain composure.

The coach said Body traveled with the team to Houston and has been actively involved in preparing the quarterbacks, offering the kind of perspective that comes from playing the position.

“I think that’s the big thing where guys like Body can actually say, ‘Hey, this is what’s going to happen. This is what it feels like. This is how you handle the adversity,” Robinson said.

Body’s recovery has also exceeded Robinson’s original expectations. The coach acknowledged that he initially did not anticipate Body playing this season, making his current progress a significant development.

“I was expecting him to not play this year,” Robinson said. “So from that standpoint, he is way ahead of schedule.”