Barring any pregame setbacks, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is expected to play in Saturday’s home game against LSU, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said Saturday on ESPN’s College GameDay.
“If he feels good in pregame and we don’t have a setback, I think he’ll be able to play,” Saban said.
Saban said earlier in the week that mobility will be the key factor on whether the quarterback leads No. 3 Alabama vs. No. 2 LSU.
“It’s still day-to-day, and you don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow or the next day, but he’s moving around well and throwing the ball with confidence,” Saban said. “His mobility will be the big question, but every day that’s improved dramatically.”
Alabama (8-0, 5-0) will host Southeastern Conference West Division rival LSU (8-0, 4-0) on Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa.
Tagovailoa underwent a “tight-rope” surgical procedure on Oct. 20 after suffering a high ankle sprain on his right ankle against Tennessee. He missed a 48-7 victory over Arkansas before Alabama was idle last weekend.
The left-handed junior has passed for 2,166 yards, 27 touchdowns and two interceptions this season for the Crimson Tide.
Tagovailoa had a “tight-rope” procedure last season on his left ankle after injuring it in the SEC Championship Game victory over Georgia. He returned to play less than a month later against Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
