Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa Expected to Make Full Recovery After Hip Surgery
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is expected to make a full recovery after having surgery on his right hip in Houston on Monday, orthopedic surgeon Lyle Cain said in a statement on Monday.
"The procedure went as planned, and he is resting comfortably. Tua's prognosis is excellent, and we expect him to make a full recovery. He will return to Tuscaloosa in the next several days to begin his rehab," Cain said.
According to ESPN's Laura Rutledge, Tagovailoa will be on a partial weight bearing recovering plan for six weeks as he rehabs daily in Tuscaloosa. In three months, he will begin athletic activity again and by the spring, he is expected to be able to resume throwing.
On Tuesday, Tagovailoa's family released a statement thanking fans, the football team and his doctors for their support.
"We would like to thank all of the Alabama family and everyone across the world for the prayers and outpouring of support for our son and our family," the family said. "We felt the unceasing prayer, and words can't express how overwhelming and uplifting that has been for us."
Tagovailoa suffered a season-ending hip dislocation in Alabama's 38–7 win over Mississippi State on Saturday.
The injury came with 3:01 remaining in the second quarter when Tagovailoa was tackled from behind by two defenders. He landed face down on the turf as his helmet came off. The signal-caller was clearly in pain as he rolled over and trainers came to assist him.
Tagovailoa could not put any weight on his right side as trainers helped him off the turf. His nose started bleeding while he discussed his injury with the medical team, and he was removed from the game on a medical cart a few minutes later.
Head coach Nick Saban said on the broadcast at halftime that he had considered putting backup quarterback Mac Jones in before the series. However, he wanted to keep Tagovailoa in before the half to get practice with the two-minute drill.
On Saturday, Tagovailoa was taken by helicopter to St. Vincent's Medical Center in Birmingham, Ala. Cain announced on Sunday that the quarterback was flown to Houston on Sunday for the surgery after his medical team consulted with multiple orthopedic experts.
This season, Tagovailoa tallied 2,840 yards with 33 touchdowns and three interceptions. He entered the season considered one of the top picks for the 2020 NFL Draft. The MMQB's Kayln Kahler reports Tagovailoa is still expected to be in the discussion for top quarterback in the draft class, but it will all depend on the medical reports.
