Nick Saban provides latest update on Bryce Young's status, availability
Ahead of Saturday’s showdown with Texas A&M, Alabama leader Nick Saban gave an update on the injury status of his quarterback, Bryce Young.
In last weekend’s victory over Arkansas, the reigning Heisman winner suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined him for most of the game. While Young couldn’t return to the field against the Razorbacks, Saban isn’t ruling him out for Saturday’s game against Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies.
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“I’m sure that everybody wants an update on Bryce, so I’m going to give it to you,” stated Saban on Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference. “He’s doing some things in practice, and he’s still listed as day-to-day.
“No decision is going to be made until he decides, and we decide from a medical staff standpoint, whether he can go out there and functionally do his job.”
While they survived Arkansas without Young and may be able to defeat Texas A&M without him as well, the Crimson Tide will certainly want him back for a showdown against Tennessee later in the season.
Nevertheless, Alabama has some solid options after Bryce Young, but it’s still tough to replace arguably the best quarterback in college football. Nick Saban will continue holding his cards close to his chest though, not willing to reveal much regarding his quarterback situation moving forward.
Paul Finebaum explains why Alabama could be in trouble without Bryce Young
One person is on the minds of everyone in Tuscaloosa — quarterback Bryce Young. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner suffered a shoulder injury against Arkansas and for now, his status for the Texas A&M game is unknown. Even further down the line, Young could be affected the what Nick Saban called an AC joint problem.
Due to Young’s status, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum said Alabama could be in trouble. Not because of the showdown against Texas A&M in Tuscaloosa but Finebaum was looking a week ahead. It will be the Third Saturday in October, which means Tennessee is on the schedule. Having Young back could be the difference for the Crimson Tide.
“I think it’s reasonable except for this reason,” Finebaum began. “Against Tennessee next week, he’s going to need to play and he’s going to need to play effectively. I’m not sure that’s possible. I don’t want to act like I have ever [played] quarterback in a stadium with 100,000 people but I have talked to people who have. You can shoot somebody up with an AC joint but it still hurts. It still effects your accuracy.”
“This week — come on,” said Finebaum. “They’re playing Texas A&M. That could be 100 to nothing. But next week is different at Neyland Stadium against Hendon Hooker and a high-flying Tennessee offense.”
Josh Heupel has built up one of the best offenses in the country behind Hooker, averaging 48.5 points per game through four contests. Even if Alabama is able to slow the Volunteers down, a quarterback such as Young will be needed to keep pace throughout four quarters.