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Nick Saban Says There's No Timetable Set For Tua Tagovailoa's Return

Alabama quarterback won't be able to put any weight on ankle for a while

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The surgery went as expected. Now Alabama has to wait.

University of Alabama coach Nick Saban didn’t wait for any questions to be asked during his press conference to update the status of Tua Tagovailoa on Monday.

“The surgery was successful,” he said. “There’s no real timetable for his return but the expectation is he will be non-weight bearing for several days and then he’ll be able to come back as his rehab allows him.

“We’re hopeful that in a 10-day period, he’ll be back being able to do active-type rehab, and we’ll see how it goes from there. But these things are pretty unpredictable at this point.”

The junior quarterback suffered a high-ankle sprain during the second quarter of Alabama’s 35-13 victory over Tennessee on Saturday night. At the time, he was 11-for-12 for 155 yards.

Both Saban and Alabama are familiar with what’s called a “tightrope” surgery, a procedure designed to accelerate recovery and promote long-term stability in the ankle.

For example, then-left tackle Cam Robinson had it in 2014, and after the bye week was able to start the subsequent Saturday at LSU. Of course, the mobility is a little different for a quarterback.

Last year, Tagovailoa had surgery on his other ankle after suffering a sprain against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, but in that situation Alabama had nearly a month before facing Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl semifinal of the College Football Playoff.

This time he has 20 days until No. 1 Alabama hosts No. 2 LSU.

Going into the Tennessee game, Tagovailoa was considered by oddsmakers to be the favorite for the Heisman Trophy. He’s completed 74.7 percent of his passes for 2,166 yards and 27 touchdowns, with two interceptions this season.

Meanwhile, Saban said there was no update on junior defensive lineman LaBryan Ray (foot), who was expected to be out at least six weeks after having surgery a month ago, and Alabama isn’t expected freshman kicker/punter Will Reichard (hip flexor) to be available for Saturday’s game against Arkansas (6 p.m. CT, ESPN).

“We did another MRI today to see what the damage is, but I would say just the fact that he reinjured himself to whatever degree, he’ll probably not be available this week,” he said.