TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It is pretty rare for an injured to athlete to get chosen by the Alabama communications staff for a media availability at any point during his or her injury.

And with Crimson Tide gymnastics off to a sizzling start on the season, there’s no shortage of gymnasts that could’ve been selected for a midweek press conference ahead of Alabama’s home matchup against No. 3 Kentucky. But while she hasn’t competed yet this season, and likely won’t according to head coach Ashley Johnston, junior Jordyn Paradise was one of the two gymnasts at the podium for Alabama on Tuesday.

Paradise has an undisclosed injury, but has been seen with a large brace on her left leg at some of Alabama’s early home meets. After the Arkansas meet, Johnston said she doesn’t expect to see Paradise compete this season, but that she couldn’t say it with certainty.

When asked, Paradise didn’t say what her injury is or choose to share her timeline for a return. However, she did share what she is concentrating on.

“This season, I’m just taking it day by day,” Paradise said. “I’m not focusing on the past, I’m not focused on the future. I’m just staying in the moment that we’re in, and doing what I can to help better this team.”

And what she’s doing to help better the team is embracing the role of door holder No. 3. The phrase comes from a video of an excited little British boy sharing with his mother his “classic part” in his Christmas play. The mom guesses Joseph or a wise man, before the little boy proudly proclaims that he is door holder No. 3.

“He was so excited to be apart of something so special,” Paradise said. “I think the big thing is, we as a team have a job we have to do. So finding any way we can to help make this team better is what we’re focused on.”

Johnston said the video has been circulating throughout the team to show that everyone’s role is important and valued among the team. It reminds her of her junior season where an injury kept her out all year and forced her to watch from the sidelines as her team won a national title in 2011.