Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be airlifted to Houston in order to continue seeking treatment for his hip injury, which he sustained in the Crimson Tide’s game against Mississippi State. Tagovailoa’s hip injury, which has been diagnosed as …
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be airlifted to Houston in order to continue seeking treatment for his hip injury, which he sustained in the Crimson Tide’s game against Mississippi State.
Tagovailoa’s hip injury, which has been diagnosed as a dislocated hip with a posterior wall feature, is one of numerous injuries he has had to deal with while at Alabama.
However, this is the first one that will cost him a season, and likely a whole lot more.
"He was screaming in pain as medical training staff had to pick him up and carry him off the cart." @MollyAMcGrath said the first report is that Tua Tagovailoa suffered an injury to his right hip vs. Mississippi State. pic.twitter.com/ppMJykMq9N
Recovery time for an injury like this will be a while, and while many rule out a return to the collegiate level, it would not be a wild idea to believe he would.
“For the past 24 hours our medical team has consulted with multiple orthopedic experts across the country, who specialize in hip injuries and surgeries,” said team doctor Lyle Cain, “Based on that research, Tua is being flown to Houston tonight to be evaluated and is scheduled to have hip surgery Monday,” Cain said.
Tua Tagovailoa is being flown to Houston tonight to be evaluated and is scheduled to have hip surgery Monday, Alabama orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lyle Cain said in a statement.
As ESPN reported, this is Tagovailoa’s second surgery of the season, the first one being the tight-rope surgery to repair a high ankle sprain he suffered during Tennessee.
This surgery on his hip will be more serious and come with a much longer recovery time.
Tua Tagovailoa suffered a season ending injury that left everyone with one big question on their mind: Where does Alabama go from here?
On Saturday, Alabama’s star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a season ending injury that left players, coaches, and fans with one big question on their mind: Where does Alabama go from here?
After Tagovailoa suffered a high ankle sprain a little over three weeks ago during the Tennessee game, the same question was asked, but everyone knew the answer was temporary, since Tagovailoa would be returning to play two weeks later against LSU. But this time, it’s different. Although Tua is expected to make a full recovery, he’s out for the rest of the season, so this time, the answer to the question affects the rest of the season.
Nov 16, 2019; Starkville, MS, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) is carted off the field due to an injury during the second quarter of the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
It affects whether or not the Crimson Tide even has a chance to win the rest of their regular season games for a chance at the CFB Playoff. Whoever takes over as QB1 the rest of the season for Alabama won’t just be playing for one game, they’ll be playing at least two. And if Alabama makes it to the CFB playoff, they’ll be leading the Tide through the playoffs as well. So, with all that being said, let’s dive deep into the question: Who will be the new QB1 for the Crimson Tide, and where does Alabama go from here?
When Tua Tagovailoa left the Tennessee game, we saw backup quarterback Mac Jones come into the game and throw 6 completions for 72 yards. The following week against Arkansas though, Jones impressed the nation with his ability to lead the team down the field, settle into the running game, throw consistent short passes, and also throw deep bombs when needed. He finished the Arkansas game completing 18-22 passes for 235 yards and 3 TDs. Fans left the game knowing that Mac Jones was more than capable at quarterback when he was needed. But when Tagovailoa went down, everyone knew this time was different, including Mac Jones.
Jones, who will more than likely be the starting quarterback for the rest of the season, has to step up more than ever before. Tua Tagovailoa’s younger brother Taulia will lose his redshirt as he will be backup for Jones, and will probably see action during the next two games.
But it’s not just who will be the new starting quarterback that’s important to note, it’s how the offense and gameplay will change. When Jones started against Arkansas, it gave the running game a chance to develop. Najee Harris had 13 carried for 86 yards and 2TDs, while Brian Robinson Jr. finished the Arkansas game with also 13 carries for 67 yards. Alabama will have to settle into the running game more over the next two weeks.
Mac Jones will also have to shift from being just a game manager to a game changer. His role in the Arkansas game was to play safe and smart. But now, he will have to add bold to the list of adjectives. Jones will need to take big shots downfield, considering the receiving group he has around him. If Mac Jones can help the offense settle into the running game while also being smart and taking big shots downfield like he did against Arkansas when he threw a perfect 40 yard bullet to Jerry Jeudy, Alabama has a chance to finish the season the way they started.
Nov 16, 2019; Starkville, MS, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Mac Jones (10) looks to make a pass against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium. Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
So, where does Alabama go?
They go back to the basics.
The offense will work on settling into the running game, Mac Jones will work on his footwork and consistency, and he works on his ability to hit the open man downfield.
The defense will work on tackling, and not busting coverage.
Leaders on both sides of the ball will step up, show up, and show out, and make big plays.
Alabama may have lost their star quarterback, but they didn’t lose the heart, passion, and goal they’ve all shared together since the season started.
And honestly, Alabama will be playing their hearts out for two reasons. One is of course the chance at another playoff berth. But secondly, and most importantly, they’re playing for Tua. The guy who literally put his body on the line for his team. The guy who has now suffered four injuries while at Alabama. The guy who has led them this far.
Don’t count Alabama out just yet.
They aren’t stopping here.
The starting quarterback may be different for the Crimson Tide on Saturday, but the heart of this team still beats the same, and that’s what this team will rely on to win.
As Nick Saban once said,
“One thing about championship teams is that they’re resilient. No matter what is thrown at them, no matter how deep the hole, they find a way to bounce back and overcome adversity.”
The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated SEC West rival, Mississippi State with a final score of 38 – 7 to advance their record to 9-1 on the season. With Tua Tagovailoa being carted off the field and taken away in an ambulance, Mac Jones stepped in and …
The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated SEC West rival, Mississippi State with a final score of 38 – 7 to advance their record to 9-1 on the season.
With Tua Tagovailoa being carted off the field and taken away in an ambulance, Mac Jones stepped in and kept the offense alive, but didn’t live up to the hype left behind by Tagovailoa.
Jones completed 7 of 11 pass attempts for 94 yards and no touchdowns.
Overall, the offense didn’t add any notable stats in the second half without Tagovailoa.
The only points scored in the half was a 22-yard field goal from Joseph Bulovas.
The defense stayed strong throughout the entire game, only allowing a lone touchdown early in the first quarter.
Next week the Crimson Tide will welcome Western Carolina into Bryant Denny Stadium, a game that will mean more now that Nick Saban will have to readjust on both sides of the ball to account for injuries.
The Alabama Crimson Tide leads the Mississippi State Bulldogs 35 – 7 at the half in a game that has displayed Alabama’s dominance on both sides of the ball. Halftime. #BamaFactor #RollTide pic.twitter.com/J85U5ZiNb9 – Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) …
The Alabama Crimson Tide leads the Mississippi State Bulldogs 35 – 7 at the half in a game that has displayed Alabama’s dominance on both sides of the ball.
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was carted off of the field with an apparent hip injury late in the second quarter, has completed 14 passes off of 18 attempts for 256 yards and two touchdowns.
Mac Jones has stepped up in place of Tagovailoa and will fill his role for the time being if he is able to returns later in this game.
Najee Harris has been the star of the Alabama offense in the first half as he has scored four total touchdowns, three rushing and one receiving.
Wide receiver Jerry jeudy has an impressive 106 yards in the first half off of six receptions.
The defense has also been a major factor for Alabama in this game as Shane Lee came up with an early interception to help the Tide gain a two possession lead.
They have held Mississippi State’s quarterback, Tommy Stevens, to only 28 yards and their star running back, Kylin Hill to only 24 yards on the ground.
Alabama will kickoff to start the second half in Starkville.
