Is Bryce Young playing vs. Tennessee? Alabama QB practicing, ‘making progress’ with shoulder injury ahead of top-10 clash

Alabama survived at home against Texas A&M without star quarterback Bryce Young. The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner missed the game due to a shoulder injury he suffered against Arkansas, and Jalen Milroe was called upon to fill in for him.

Now, the Crimson Tide face a tough, top-10 clash against Tennessee. The No. 2-ranked Tide is traveling to Knoxville with one key question on its mind.

Will Young be able to return against the Volunteers?

Young’s availability appears to be in question once again. Given that he was held out as a “precautionary measure” against Texas A&M, one would expect he would have a chance to play in the critical road contest.

But even still, until his status is known for certain, Alabama fans will anxiously await every piece of news about their talented quarterback.

MORE: Who is Jalen Milroe? Meet the QB replacing Bryce Young vs. Texas A&M

Is Bryce Young playing vs. Tennessee?

Young’s status for Alabama’s game against Tennessee has yet to be determined. However, Crimson Tide fans did receive some good news from coach Nick Saban ahead of the contest.

Saban told reporters Wednesday that Young is “making progress” in his return from a shoulder injury that has been classified as an AC joint sprain. He also explained why he held Young out of last Saturday’s 24-20 win over Texas A&M.

“I didn’t think he was in a position that he could go and effectively do his job in the way he’s capable of doing it,” Saban said Wednesday, per The Tuscaloosa News. “He’s made a lot of progress from that point, so hopefully that will change in the near future.”

Saban also cautioned that the team isn’t going to force Young’s return to action. He was on a pitch count in Wednesday’s practice and the team is going to evaluate whether he can take a step forward on Thursday.

“Just to kind of wean him back into it and see how it goes,” Saban said. “We expect him to do a little more tomorrow.”

As such, Young could have a chance to pay if he continues to make progress. If not, then the Crimson Tide will have to rely on their relatively inexperienced backup to carry them in a tough road matchup.

MORE: Where is former Alabama star AJ McCarron?

Alabama QB depth chart

If Young is unable to play against the Volunteers, Jalen Milroe will likely be called upon once again.

The redshirt freshman got the start against Texas A&M and had an up-and-down outing, completing 12 of 19 passes for 111 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 83 yards on 17 carries. He also relieved Young against the Razorbacks and totaled two touchdowns in the win.

Saban explained that he thought Milroe “played with a lot of anxiety” in his first career start.

“I don’t think he allowed himself to let his training sort of guide him and trust and believe in it so that he can have success in executing plays,” Saban said. “You can’t turn the ball over and not execute plays like they are designed relative to the read of what you should and shouldn’t do.”

Behind Milroe, the Crimson Tide is even less experienced. True freshman quarterback Ty Simpson would be Milroe’s backup; the five-star recruit and 26th-ranked player in the class of 2022 has talent but he has thrown just three career college passes, completing two of them for 15 yards.

Alabama also has Amanni Stewart and Cade Carruth on the roster, but neither of those freshmen has appeared in a game.

So, in totality, this is what the Alabama quarterback depth chart looks like:

Needless to say Young is the best and most experienced passer in that group. And without him, Alabama could struggle against Tennessee.

But with him, they will get a dynamic playmaker. Young has completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 1,202 yards with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions this season and has also rushed 18 times for 154 yards with three touchdowns.