His rehab is paying off.
Since having arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle, Tua Tagovailoa has made the recovery process look effortless as he returned to practice on last week.
Despite sporting some wrap on the ankle, Alabama’s sophomore quarterback was not in a walking boot and he moved with confidence.
His progression continued on Monday afternoon, with offensive coordinator Michael Locksley and quarterbacks’ coach Dan Enos pushing him through positional drills outside. Per head coach Nick Saban, the native Hawaiian is “ahead of schedule” though he is not at 100 percent just yet.
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“He’s doing well,” Saban said of Tagovailoa after practice.
“He’s been able to take a lot of reps, he’s been able to throw the ball from the pocket, he can run…he’s already going 100% on the anti-gravity treadmill… He has been able to practice and we are encouraged by that.”
With his work, Tagovailoa is on pace to start the College Football Playoff semifinal matchup versus Oklahoma on Saturday, Dec. 29. He’s totaled 3,353 passing yards with 37 touchdowns and has earned a multitude of individual honors, but he also wants another national championship.
While the Crimson Tide resumes practice on Tuesday, Tagovailoa’s progress will continue being documented.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
