TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — There have been two moments that have surely made the Crimson Tide faithful hold their breath through the first three games this season.

The first came in Alabama’s season-opening beatdown of Louisville. Sophomore Tua Tagovailoa hung in the pocket and lofted a perfect pass to Jerry Jeudy for a touchdown. After releasing the ball, Tagovailoa was spun around and took a shot to the head. He was a little slow to get up, but he was ultimately fine.

The latest came this past weekend when ESPN cameras panned the sideline and saw Alabama’s training staff working on Tagovailoa’s leg. It continued when Tagovailoa was spotted limping into the locker room early at halftime and sporting a slight limp postgame.

Tide coach Nick Saban was quick to say he wasn’t injured, but an injury to Tagovailoa seems to be the one thing that could ground the Crimson Tide’s high-octane offense.

He injured his hand and missed the majority of spring practice. None of this is to suggest Tagovailoa is injury-prone, but more to stress the importance of having an insurance policy like Jalen Hurts as backup.

No other team in the country has a backup with as much experience as Hurts, who is 27-2 as a starting quarterback.

Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Had Hurts transferred or changed positions as some suggested, Alabama would be thin and inexperienced behind Tagovailoa.

Teammates and coaches have noticed the improvement Hurts has made while working with new quarterback coach Dan Enos.

“I think Jalen has certainly improved in the pocket,” Saban said. “There’s no doubt about that. There’s never been any question about his arm talent. It’s always been making decisions, choices, second reads, that type of things, which I think he’s really made a lot of improvement on.

“And I think when he’s done those things, he’s had really good success. And I think consistency in continuing to do those things is the key to him in the future.”

Hurts has thrown for 248 yards and 4 touchdowns on the season, including a couple of perfect throws to Irv Smith Jr. and Jeudy for scores. He’s completing 68 percent of his passes and hasn’t been as quick to take off and run like in years past.

We’ll never know, but it raises the question of what could Hurts have developed into had Enos or another dedicated quarterback coach been around for his entire career.

Still, having a backup with Hurts’ pedigree and resume should help Alabama fans rest a little easier at night if something were to happen to Tagovailoa.

“I don’t think confidence has ever been an issue for Jalen,” Alabama running back Damien Harris said. “We’ve always had confidence in him. I know he’s always had confidence in himself. I think he’s just improved as a player. That’s what we all try to do from one year to the next. Try to improve our game and become better players for the team, and I think that’s what’s happened with him.”