Alabama WR Jameson Williams Suffers Knee Injury During National Championship Game
INDIANAPOLIS — Alabama’s first big offensive play during Monday night’s national championship game came at a cost. The Crimson Tide saw star receiver Jameson Williams suffer a knee injury early in the second quarter following a 40-yard reception from Bryce Young.
Williams appeared to land awkwardly on his knee during the play. The junior receiver laid motionless on the field before being helped to the sideline where he entered the team’s injury tent. After exiting the tent, Williams walked to the Alabama locker room under his own power. He recorded four receptions for 65 yards before leaving the game.
"He has a knee injury," Alabama head coach Nick Saban said after the game. "We won't know the extent of the knee injury until we get an MRI. He actually wanted to play in the second half and the medical staff wouldn't let him, which I think was smart because he has a future as a football player."
Williams, a Biletnikoff finalist, entered Monday's game as Alabama's leading receiver with 1,507 yards and 15 touchdowns on 75 catches. The loss of the star wideout limited the Tide's attack as it found the end zone just once during a 33-18 loss to Georgia.
"Look, this guy contributed tremendously to our team all year," Saban said. "He has great speed. He's a vertical threat. I think our offensive coaches did a great job of utilizing his talent this year. He's been very productive. Anytime you lose players like this it has an impact on your team."
Alabama is already without one of its starting receivers in John Metchie, who tore his ACL during last month's SEC Championship Game against Georgia. He was Young's favorite target this season reeling in a team-high 96 receptions for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns.
Williams was replaced by Agiye Hall while fellow freshman receiver Ja'Corey Brooks has filled in for Metchie over the past two games. Hall finished Monday night's game with two receptions for 52 yards while Brooks finished with six grabs for 47 yards.
"It gives other players opportunities," Saban said of his team's injuries at receiver. "And I'm not disappointed in how they responded to that, but there's no question that you win with great players. You win with great people. And he's been a great person and a great player on our team all year long. So when you take him out of the lineup, it has to have some impact."
Alabama threw for 369 yards as six players recorded four or more receptions on the night. Tight end Cameron Latu recorded five catches for a team-high 102 yards and a touchdown, while Slade Bolden had 44 yards on a team-high seven receptions.
