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Alabama Football

Tua Tagovailoa provides latest update on his status heading into Orange Bowl

Michael Wayne Bratton

By Michael Wayne Bratton

Published:

The biggest question mark for Alabama heading into the Orange Bowl is Tua Tagovailoa’s status as the Heisman Trophy-runner up is coming off ankle surgery immediately following the 2018 SEC Championship Game.

Nick Saban recently shared his thoughts on Alabama’s plans, should Tua not be at 100 percent come game time.

The quarterback made headlines this week when he revealed he’s still not at 100 percent entering midweek of the National Semifinal Playoff game against Oklahoma. On Thursday, during his most recent media availability, Tua was asked several questions about this status one day after commenting that he’s at 80-85 percent.

Here is a transcript of the injury questions Tua faced on Thursday:

Question: You said 80 to 85 percent yesterday. Is it better today?

“I mean, we’re still making progress. Feels great. You know, we’re still doing rehab at the moment. You know, hopefully leading up to the game it’ll feel a lot better.”

Question: Have you made up your mind you’ll be able to play at a high level?

“I believe so. I believe we’ll be able to feel a lot more comfortable in the pocket, moving around. You know, yesterday was a testament to that. I got the opportunity to do a lot of things in practice that I wasn’t able to do the last week.”

Question: Can you take us through the reason for the surgery? Was it done just to speed up the recovery?

“Yeah, it was done so that I would be able to come back and get the opportunity to play in the playoff. I think our doctors have done a tremendous job, and our athletic training staff has done a tremendous job of helping me rehab and getting to this point.”

Question: Pardon me if I missed this, but 80 to 85 percent, is that how you feel like you’re playing, or is that the percentage that you feel you are right now?

“That’s the percentage that I feel I’m at right now. Then again, I feel I’m still making a tremendous amount of progress with the amount of rehab and therapy that I’m getting from our athletic trainers.”

Question: Is it the expectation that you (indiscernible)?

“Well, the expectation is that I’d be at 100 percent for Saturday and I’d be able to play.”

Michael Wayne Bratton

A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com

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