Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had successful surgery on his right ankle Sunday morning and will miss next week’s game against Arkansas, coach Nick Saban announced.
Tagovailoa left Saturday’s win over Tennessee in the second quarter due to a right high-ankle sprain and was ruled out by the team at halftime.
“Our physicians performed a successful tight-rope procedure on his right ankle this morning,” Saban said in a statement.
“This is the same injury, but the opposite ankle that Tua injured last season. Tua will miss next week’s game against Arkansas, but we expect a full and speedy recovery.”
Tagovailoa injured both ankles — with a high-ankle sprain on the left — in the SEC Championship Game last year. He had the same surgery on the left ankle before the College Football Playoff last season.
In Saturday’s game, Tagovailoa had his legs tangled during a sack by Volunteers defensive tackle Greg Emerson, and his right foot was pinned awkwardly. Tagovailoa stayed in for a play, then went to the team’s medical tent on the sideline. He walked to the locker room with a slight limp, and videos on social media showed him walking to an ambulance to leave the stadium.
Alabama, ranked No. 1, went on to win 35-13, with Tagovailoa finishing 11 of 12 for 155 yards and an interception. Backup Mac Jones went 6 of 11 for 72 yards, and wideout Slade Bolden tossed a 6-yard touchdown on one attempt.
The Crimson Tide improved to 7-0 (4-0 SEC) with the victory. They host Arkansas next week, then have an open date prior to a Nov. 9 showdown at home against No. 2 LSU.
