CJ Mosley Injury: LB's Avoidance of Serious Injury Keeps Alabama in BCS Picture

A dislocated hip certainly doesn't sound particularly appealing, but considering the possible alternatives, Alabama linebacker CJ Mosley will probably take it.

Following an interception of LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson in Monday night's National Championship Game, Mosley went down awkwardly with what appeared to be a serious leg injury. According to Mike Dubberly of FOX 6 News in Alabama, though, it was merely a hip dislocation.

He easily could have torn his ACL, so Mosley should consider himself lucky. Despite how gruesome the injury looked, Rick Karle of WBRC TV in Birmingham is reporting that head coach Nick Saban thinks Mosley could be healed in as little as six weeks.

This is excellent news for the Crimson Tide as it will surely bolster their run toward another BCS National Championship next season. Alabama seems likely to lose a bunch of impact players, particularly on defense with Dont'a Hightower, Courtney Upshaw, Dre Kirkpatrick and Mark Barron all in line to enter the NFL Draft.

Additionally, running back Trent Richardson is likely out as well.

With all of those losses, Mosley figures to be a key piece to the puzzle on defense next year. He had some injuries this season as a sophomore, but he was highly effective when he played and has all the makings of a tackling machine, which is what the Tide will need if Hightower leaves.

Few teams are able to reload on a yearly basis as well as Alabama does, but that doesn't guarantee anything. Aside from cornerback Morris Claiborne, it appears as though LSU is going to return almost every key player, perhaps once again making the Tigers the favorites in the SEC and the National Title hunt.

It will take a lot more than just Mosley to get back to the top of the mountain, but he will likely be the heart and soul of the defense. That much was on display on Monday as Mosley's interception basically allowed the Tide to put the game out of LSU's reach.

For the sake of both Mosley and the Alabama football program, it's great news that his recovery time could be so short. If everything goes according to plan, then Mosley should have no problem getting healthy for the start of next season and becoming a key figure as the Crimson Tide look to defend their title.