Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa to Have Surgery on Hip Injury; Full Recovery Expected
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will undergo surgery on his hip Monday in Houston.
Dr. Lyle Cain, who evaluated the Crimson Tide star in Birmingham, Alabama, said he and his staff "consulted with multiple orthopedic experts across the country, who specialize in hip injuries and surgeries." Cain added they "anticipate a full recovery."
The Associated Press' Ralph D. Russo shared the full statement:
Tagovailoa exited in the second quarter of Alabama's 38-7 win over Mississippi State on Saturday. While the specific injury was unclear, the severity was apparent to anybody watching the game as the Heisman Trophy contender was helped onto a medical cart and transported to the locker room.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tagovailoa was being airlifted from Starkville, Mississippi, to a hospital in Birmingham.
Cain subsequently confirmed Tagovailoa dislocated his hip and would miss the rest of the 2019 season.
Some fans noted a major hip injury derailed Bo Jackson's football career. The nature of Jackson's injury wasn't immediately known at the time, however, which isn't the case with Tagovailoa.
More recently, Jalen Watts-Jackson returned to the field for Michigan State in 2016 after suffering a broken hip the year before. He was hurt taking a blocked punt for a touchdown as time expired in a win over Michigan.
For Tagovailoa, the hip injury could affect his decision to enter the 2020 NFL draft. Many expected him to forgo his senior year and be a top pick in the spring. Now, there's far more uncertainty.
Should his surgery go well and his recovery progress as expected, Tagovailoa's draft stock may be able to stabilize enough to clear a path to the NFL in 2020 rather than 2021.
