3 big questions following Tua Tagovailoa’s injury against Mississippi State

Get well soon, Tua.

Alabama star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was carted off the field after taking a big hit in the second quarter against Mississippi State.

He had a bloody nose and was visibly in pain. He was unable to put any pressure on his right leg before being carted off by Alabama’s medical staff. ESPN’s Molly McGrath called it a right hip injury and said team doctors had to pick him up and carry him off the cart as he was screaming in pain.

None of that sounds good at all.

Alabama was up big, 35-7, after a monster first quarter from Tagovailoa where he completed 100 percent of his passes for 158 yards and a touchdown.

On the play he was injured he got caught scrambling out of the pocket by two Mississippi State defenders.

This situation is about to get super messy. It’s immediately the biggest story in college football and the NFL. A Heisman Trophy candidate and the potential number one pick might have a major injury. Questions are already flying.

Why was Tua in the game?

During his halftime interview, Nick Saban said the series their star quarterback got hurt on was going to be the last one he played. He was going to pull him the series before, but  Tagovailoa asked to remain in the game.

Hindsight is always 20/20, obviously. It’s tough to say Saban was wrong. But he definitely bears some responsibility here. Sometimes, you have to protect players from themselves in situation’s exactly like this. Tagovailoa had already had a monster game and the score was in hand. There’s no point in continuing there and Saban knows it, so sit him down.

What sort of injury is this?

If it’s something major that keeps him out for a year, not only does it keep Tagovailoa out for the rest of the college football season but it also puts his availability for the start of the next NFL season in mid-November.

That’s big. That could potential impact his draft status. There might not be a pro day or a combine or a chance to work out professionally for him. Instead, he might be rehabbing. He’ll still be able to interview, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the draft process.

He needs to take his time coming back, but the more time he takes, the more questions team executives will have. That’s not great for someone who could’ve been the No. 1 pick. Considering a return to Alabama might be in the cards because of this.

If he can play again, should he?

Let’s say he’s healthy enough to come back before the season’s end. As yourself, honestly, what’s the point?

Missing significant time completely knocks him out of the Heisman race. He’s already put enough on film to be considered a top 5 pick in the NFL draft. Alabama is currently ranked 5th and out of the College Football Playoff as things stand. There’s nothing left to play for.

Zion Williamson was faced with a similar situation at Duke last season when his shoe exploded and he chose to come back and play. That’s a fine decision. Didn’t end up amounting to anything, but it was what he wanted to do. We have to respect that.

Tagovailoa has more to consider. Football is a much more physically grueling sport and this is his second major injury this season. If you ask me, it’s time to sit down and get ready for the future. But he’s an athlete — that’s easy for me to say and hard for him to do.

It’s up to him ultimately. I just hope that whatever he chooses to do leads to a brighter, healthier future for him.

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