Playing the reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young will be a game-time decision on Saturday as No. 1 Alabama prepares to take on Jimbo Fisher and the Texas A&M Aggies.
Young injured his throwing shoulder during the second quarter of Alabama’s Week 5 win over Arkansas. After the injury, Young returned for a series before heading back to the locker room and was on the sideline for the second half. Backup quarterback Jalen Milroe played the entire second half in Alabama’s 49-26 win.
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe, #4, with a pass attempt during the college football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Arkansas Razorbacks on Oct. 1, 2022 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
( Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“Bryce has been practicing, and all week, he’s been saying that he could play,” Saban told ESPN on Thursday. “But that’s going to be a medical decision. We’ve still got some time, and I want to talk more to Bryce. He’s the only one who knows how he feels because it’s going to be a pain-tolerance thing.
FORMER OKLAHOMA STAR QUARTERBACK SAYS 2022 ALREADY A ‘FAILED SEASON’
“He’s a tough kid and great competitor. We’ll see where he is on game day.”
Saban said that while Young did some throwing at practice on Wednesday, the plan was to allow him to rest on Thursday.
Bryce Young, #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide, throws a pass against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half of the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 24, 2022 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
“There was no reason for him to throw a lot this week, because if he does, it’s not going to get better. It’s just going to aggravate it,” Saban said. “Our doctors are saying that if you hold off as much as you can, then that’s the best chance that he’s got.”
CLEMSON FOOTBALL PLAYERS SUED OVER 2021 CRASH INVOLVING POSTAL TRUCK: REPORT
Milroe played well while filling in for Young, throwing for a touchdown and rushing for another while gaining 91 yards on the ground.
“Obviously, Bryce is the leader of the team, and the players respect him and trust him and believe in him,” Saban said. “But I don’t see our players not performing well when [Milroe] is in there. He does enough good things that they believe in him and trust him.
Bryce Young, #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide, celebrates on the sidelines after his team scored a touchdown during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Oct. 1, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Crimson Tide defeated the Razorbacks 49-26.
(Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“If he’s in there, I don’t see it as a problem. Whether we can execute well enough is what matters because these guys [Texas A&M] are better on defense, I think, than anybody we’ve played so far.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Texas A&M is dealing with its own quarterback issues, as Max Johnson reportedly suffering a broken bone in his throwing hand against Mississippi State in Week 5. Johnson could miss the rest of the season, according to ESPN.
Hits: 3
