QB Tua Tagovailoa Suffered Thumb Injury in Alabama Practice, Says Nick Saban

Alabama quarterback and College Football Playoff hero Tua Tagovailoa reportedly injured his thumb during a spring practice and will undergo an evaluation to determine the extent of the setback. 

Alex Scarborough of ESPN reported the news Tuesday.

"Probably going to require some time for him to get back," Alabama head coach Nick Saban said of Tagovailoa. "I'm not going to speculate on what the injury might be."

While an injury is never ideal, Tagovailoa at least has the benefit of time on his side considering it is only March and Alabama doesn't start the 2018 season until Sept. 1 against the Louisville Cardinals.

Still, this prevents the signal-caller the chance to build on his performance from the national championship victory over the Georgia Bulldogs during spring practice. He entered the game at halftime as a freshman and led the Crimson Tide back from a 13-0 deficit to an overtime victory behind 166 passing yards and three touchdown throws, including the game-winner to DeVonta Smith.

It was a legendary performance for someone who had largely played mop-up duty during his first collegiate season behind starter Jalen Hurts.

The presence of two proven quarterbacks who have competed under the brightest spotlight the college game offers is a luxury for Alabama for this exact reason. Even if Tagovailoa misses significant time with an injury, Saban always has Hurts to turn to and vice versa.