This story has been updated from a previous version.
Alabama Heisman Trophy winning-quarterback Bryce Young exited the second-ranked Crimson Tide's game vs. No. 20 Arkansas on Saturday with an apparent injury to his throwing shoulder.
Young exited the field, pointing to his shoulder, around the 10-minute mark after throwing an incompletion. According to a report from the CBS telecast, he was seen throwing his helmet as he entered the Alabama medical tent.
He also was heard yelling from inside and was stopped by trainers from running to the locker room.
Bryce Young heads to the tent with an apparent shoulder injury. pic.twitter.com/QR0duOXWvO
— SEC on CBS 🏈 (@SEConCBS) October 1, 2022
Young's injury was not obvious, but it appeared to occur on a third-down scramble on Alabama's previous drive. He was brought down on a sack by Alabama transfer linebacker Drew Sanders. At the last second, Young attempted to throw the ball away. He landed awkwardly with his right arm extended and seemed to experience pain following the play.
Bryce Young in the tent following this awkward landing pic.twitter.com/5ATw7wNMid
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) October 1, 2022
CBS color commentator Gary Danielson hypothesized on-air that Young may have suffered a rotator cuff injury, which he claimed quarterbacks don't know they have until they throw the ball. Alabama called two running plays before the third-down pass attempt by Young, after which he exited the game.
Backup quarterback Jalen Milroe came in for Young on the ensuing drive. He handed off to running back Jahmyr Gibbs for two runs of 7 yards apiece before keeping it himself for a 3-yard gain. He also led a touchdown drive on the ensuing possession, capped with a 22-yard touchdown pass to JoJo Earle.
Before leaving, Young completed 7 of 13 passes for 173 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also rushed two times for 4 yards and a score. Entering halftime, Alabama coach Nick Saban said he did not know the extent of Young's injury, adding that Milroe would remain in if the former couldn't play:
Nick Saban at halftime on Bryce Young’s shoulder injury/Jalen Milroe: pic.twitter.com/ahgNLZluka
— Alex Byington (@_AlexByington) October 1, 2022
Following halftime, CBS sideline reporter Jenny Taft reported that Young went into the locker room for an evaluation and was questionable to return to the game. Reports from the game indicated Young was warming up on throws and handoffs before the second half kicked off, but also that Milroe was throwing as well.
Young had his helmet on throughout the second half and did not wear a sling on his injured shoulder. Despite this, Milroe finished the game to lead the Crimson Tide to a 49-26 win. He completed 4 of 9 passes for 65 yards and a touchdown, rushing six times for 91 yards and another score.
Saban said after the game that Young had an AC shoulder sprain, adding, "Hopefully we'll get some diagnosis on him and see how he goes." He did not believe the injury to be serious.
