An Alabama football legend has suffered a huge blow.
AJ McCarron sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee for the Atlanta Falcons during Saturday’s preseason game versus the Miami Dolphins. According to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, McCarron broke loose for a 7-yard run and was tackled hard. The play happened with Miami holding a 14-3 lead over the Falcons.
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McCarron, a native of Mobile, Ala., was vying for the backup quarterback job.
The injury did not look good, and Sunday’s MRI confirmed the ACL tear in his knee. Falcons’ head coach Arthur Smith feels bad for McCarron, as the 30-year-old will miss the season. Atlanta will now be in the market for a backup to Matt Ryan.
Before he turned pro in 2014, McCarron was a three-time BCS National Champion at Alabama.
He was the starting on two straight title teams in 2011 and 2012. McCarron finished second to Jameis Winston (Florida State) in the 2013 Heisman Trophy voting.
Hopefully, he has a successful recovery.
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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.
