Tua Tagovailoa re-injured vs. Mississippi State after lobbying to reenter game

Zac Al-Khateeb

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Tua Tagovailoa re-injured vs. Mississippi State after lobbying to reenter game image

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa re-injured himself in the Crimson Tide's game against Mississippi State on Saturday.

Tagovailoa, with Alabama up 35-7 and enough time remaining for one final drive in the half, was seen lobbying Nick Saban to reenter the game. He was injured on third play of the ensuing drive; he left the game on an injury cart, unable to put any weight on his right leg. He also seemed to have suffered a facial injury.

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According to the ESPN telecast, Tagovailoa suffered an injury to his right hip — not his knee or ankle. He was also heard screaming in pain and is heading to receive an X-ray.

Saban later said it was his decision to place Tagovailoa back in the game, in order to run a two-minute drill.

According to the ESPN telecast, Tagovailoa left Davis Wade Stadium in an ambulance. He was then helicoptered to St. Vincent's Medical Center in Birmingham, Ala., according to a report from the Tuscaloosa News' Cecil Hurts.

A long-lasting injury to Tagovailoa would be a worst-case scenario for Alabama, which likely needs him to beat Auburn in the Iron Bowl later this season and, presumably, make a final attempt at the College Football Playoff.

Tagovailoa finished the game 14 of 18 passing for 256 yards and two touchdowns.

This story will be updated.

Zac Al-Khateeb

Zac Al-Khateeb Photo

Zac Al-Khateeb has been part of The Sporting News team since 2015 after earning his Bachelor's (2013) and Master's (2014) degrees in journalism at the University of Alabama. Prior to joining TSN, he covered high school sports and general news in Alabama. A college sports specialist, Zac has been a voter for the Biletnikoff Award and Heisman Trophy since 2020.