Alabama Practice/Injury Report: Tua Tagovailoa Leading Passing Drills Again

Media gets its first look at the Crimson Tide starting quarterback since he underwent surgery on his ankle

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — University of Alabama junior quarterback  Tua Tagovailoa was back leading passing drills as the Crimson Tide returned to practice Monday. 

It was the first time reporters got a look at Tagovailoa on the field since he had surgery on Oct. 20, to help a high-ankle sprain heal. 

However, he was in a distant field as the Crimson Tide practiced outside. 

Tagovailoa had a black sleeve on his right leg and appeared to be moving around well. 

Alabama coach Nick Saban said earlier on Monday that Tagovailoa would split reps with redshirt sophomore Mac Jones, and they would adjust depending on his progress this week.

Conditions were 59 degrees and cloudy. The team was in shorts and helmets. Per The Weather Channel, the forecast for Saturday's game at Bryant-Denny Stadium is sunny and high of 56 degrees. 

Although running back Najee Harris (ankle) was absent from the viewing period last Thursday, he was in his usual spot Monday.  Saban called him "fine" for LSU. 

Also practicing after getting banged up a bit against Arkansas were freshman left guard Evan Neal (groin), redshirt junior center Landon Dickerson (hamstring) and  junior wide receiver DeVonta Smith (shoulder). 

The only player Saban called questionable was freshman kicker/punter Will Reichard (hip), who Alabama is being cautious with after aggravating his injury against Tennessee on Oct. 19.

 Junior defensive lineman LaBryan Ray (foot) has yet to return to practice. 

"I think our focus needs to be on attention to detail, doing the little things right," Saban said. "Trying to execute the plan against what has been a very good team in terms of how they do things, whether it’s on offense, defense or special teams.

He added: 

"Totally different offensive scheme than what they’ve played in the past in terms of they have a capability to create balance in their offense with a really good runner and a good offensive line, but they also spread you out and create matchup problems because of the skill guys they have outside in their wide receiver corps.

"Defensively, they’re always a very well coached team that plays really sound fundamentally. They’ve always got good guys in the back end, which they certainly do this year in terms of the cover people. And they’ve got great team speed so they’re really good on special teams. There’s not a lot of weaknesses in what you see in this team. And when you play teams like this, I think the most important thing you can do is focus on what you have to do to prepare and know that execution is going to be critical in the game. And try to have a great week in term so how you practice and prepare for the game and focus on that."