He rolled around New York City in a scooter with a walking boot on his left leg on Friday; however, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa made an appearance on ESPN’s College Football Game Day this morning and said that the boot “is coming off tonight.”
The native Hawaiian is one of three finalists for the Heisman Memorial Trophy; joining Kyler Murray of Oklahoma and Dwayne Haskins of Ohio State.
Tagovailoa had arthroscopic surgery on his ankle, following an injury versus Georgia in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game. His backup, Jalen Hurts, entered during the fourth quarter and delivered the team to a 35-28 comeback victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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Seeing how his mishap was not as severe as Hurts’ injury, the initial report was Tagovailoa would recover faster and should be able to start against Oklahoma for the College Football Playoff semifinal matchup at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla. He told reporters that he “hopes to be ready to practice.”
If ready, Tagovailoa will enter the contest on the heels of winning both Walter Camp and Maxwell Player of the Year honors for his efforts this season. As he anticipates the possibility of winning the Heisman tonight, the former five-star has his sights on Saturday, Dec. 29 – the day he will try to lead the Crimson Tide over the Sooners.
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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.
