It was ultimately gamesmanship shown by Nick Saban on Wednesday and one could not blame him.
He told local reporters on Monday that Tua Tagovailoa was expected to return to practice on Wednesday; however, he did not say the Alabama junior quarterback would be available for the media viewing period.
As the potential top player at his position for next year’s NFL Draft, Tagovailoa was not spotted during the viewing period yet he appeared when the cameras left.
He had tightrope surgery on his right ankle, following an injury he sustained versus Tennessee and did not play against Arkansas. A lot of medical experts projected him to be back in practice taking snaps by this point in the week and per Saban, the native Hawaiian did a few things.
“Tua took some snaps today in practice,” Saban said on Wednesday.
RELATED: Pro Football Focus highlights Xavier McKinney for his game versus Arkansas
“He was not involved in any team situations and again, this is a game day decision and there is nothing else that I can say about it. I can tell you that his mentality has been really good, in terms of how he is working the things he is doing and how he is progressing and his attitude toward trying to get back on the field.”
One of the interesting things about the tightrope for Alabama is that offensive lineman, Cam Robinson was the first to get it. He suffered a high ankle sprain in 2016 versus Tennessee and was back two weeks later to battle LSU and he played every snap in the matchup.
Each player response differently to a procedure, but Saban has all the confidence in the team’s medical staff.
“Well, Dr. Andrews, Dr. Cain and that whole group in Birmingham, they are some of the top people in the country,” Saban said. “They have a lot of NFL players that come see them. They have a great rehab center over there. They have Major League Baseball pitchers that come to see them. They just have a really, really great reputation and we always allow them to make what they think is the best medical decision for a player and his future. We have had a lot of success with this surgery in the past. It really has enhanced the ability of our guys to come back and they haven’t had any issues or problems in the future. It is amazing to me all the things they can do in medicine now that back when I played, none of these things were available.”
After the injury, Tagovailoa told his teammates he would be back for LSU.
Since having surgery, reports have been positive on his rehab, his attitude and his desire to do everything possible to be ready to play. If he were to tell Saban he can play, the six-time national champion would not deny Tagovailoa the opportunity. However, the coach always wants to be assured that the player can do his or her job effectively – prior to releasing them into action.
Even when comes to his future in the pros, Saban is not one for putting Tagovailoa at risk.
“I would not care whether the player was a first-round pick or did not have any future as a player, I would never put a player at risk if the medical staff, the player himself and everyone involved in the organization think the guy was not cable of going out there and doing his job at a high level,” he said. “It would not create any value for him and it certainly would not help us and we would not want to put anybody at risk. I know he’ll want to play, but the biggest thing I ask a player and I tell them, ‘I know you want to play. Tell me can you go do your job.’ If you can’t you are not helping yourself and you are not helping the team. I always ask a player that, even after Doc tells them they are ready to go and that means a lot to a player. It does make a difference what a guy thinks… What is confidence level is and no one knows that except for the player.”
When it comes to maybe sitting Tagovailoa out this game, due to his top-five pick potential, Saban went into discussing the value created for players when they help their team.
“People always value guys that want to make the right decision about what they do, he said.
“I know the eight years I was in the NFL; people always said the “warrior mentality.” This guy is really tough. He plays hard. He plays every play and things don’t bother him. You are not going to see him on the sidelines if he gets a little banged up or whatever, so I’m not saying every player is like that… But the question is what really creates value for you? If you can’t go out there and play with any consistency and you don’t have durability as a player is that a positive or a negative? There is another side of that to look at.”
The other side he is referring to is one that causes players to fall in the draft.
Guys get asked a ton of questions in their transition from college to the NFL and for those who have dealt with injuries, pro scouts are digging every piece of information.
According to Saban, if one does not provide a quality answer – then it gives that particular team a reason not to draft the player.
A reason also lies behind Saban using the “warrior” to describe Tagovailoa.
In the Hawaiian culture, the term carries a spiritual meaning.
A warrior to the Samoan or Polynesian is a strong protector of its household or community. Nothing breaks this type of individual and for Saban to use this word, it means there is a good chance Tagovailoa plays against LSU.
“Tua has always done everything around here that he can actually do to help the team,” Saban said. “He has made great choices and decisions. He’s smart… He’s bright and I don’t think he would put himself in a position nor would we want to put him in a position with what he does moving forward has any effect on his future.”
At the end of the day, Saban is still concerned about the health of his players.
The media probably won’t see him much next week in practice; nevertheless, Tagovailoa will play if he feels up to it and knowing him… He is a fearless competitor.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber only content!*
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.
