Tua Tagovailoa suffered a right hip dislocation in Alabama’s victory over the state of Mississippi on Saturday, another in a list of injury-prone injuries the electric Alabama quarterback has suffered over the past two seasons.
That injury was the focus of the last half of the 2019 season in Alabama, which ended with a 35-16 win over the Citrus in Michigan.
READ MORE: Accused Nick Saban of Tagovailoa injury is pointless exercise
At first glance, the Crimson Tide’s sixth straight playoff appearance seems to have suffered a lot without Tagovailoa, though it’s worth remembering that the State of Ohio won the inaugural Playoff in 2014 with backup general Cardale Jones. That said, Alabama fans are more concerned about his long-term health.
Here’s everything you need to know about Tagovailoa’s injury and his timetable for recovery:
Will Tua Tagovailoa play for Alabama again?
Tagovailoa was unable to play for the remainder of the 2019 season after undergoing hip treatment and detoxification. The most common question is whether he’ll ever get to Alabama football again.
Tagovailoa has consistently been featured as one of the top prospects for the 2020 NFL Draft, though that degree was called into question after his injury. It is possible that Tagovailoa could return to Alabama, either to further his leg or to prove to NFL teams that he has not lost mobility, although the latter option carries a high risk of little reward.
Tagovailoa acknowledged in late November that losing money by moving away from the top 15 of the plan could affect its decision. Regardless of his thought process, Tagovailoa announced on New Year’s Eve that it would make the decision on Monday, January 1st. He, along with family members and medical staff in Alabama, met with doctors in New York on Friday.
What is Tagovailoa injury?
Tagovailoa for some has a hip component, an injury that is not usually seen on the football field – it is a high impact injury that is commonly seen in car crashes. He is also an injury colleague with former Auburn and Los Angeles Raiders running back Bo Jackson, though former Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley – who still plays in the NFL – suffered a dislocated hip in the 2012 BCS Championship game.
One of the immediate questions about Tagovailoa’s injury is whether he has a similar prognosis to Jackson, who has never played football again after being injured against the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1990 AFC division. It was later found that the cartilage was damaged in the area and was ultimately a vascular necrosis of the hip joint.
While Tagovailoa is still under trial and evaluation, one potentially notable difference between the injury and Jackson is that his hip was immediately treated by trained professionals in the field, while Jackson was forced to retract his hip behind her secondary blood vessels. – and continued playing on it (though no other game is recorded). Alabama orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lyle Cain said Tagovailoa’s injury was reduced at Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday, causing Tagovailoa’s hip to return minimal damage.
“Tua Tagovailoa underwent a correct hip dislocation that immediately declined in stage,” Cain said, “undergoing further tests to determine the best course of treatment. He is expected to make a full recovery but will miss the rest of the season.”
One possible complication with Tagovailoa’s recovery, however, is the reported fracture in the back wall (another resemblance to Jackson’s injury): Here is the definition of a back wall fracture by the American Academy of Orthopedics:
“The acetabular fractures are the most common type of acetabular fracture, accounting for about 25 percent of all acetabular fractures. The mere appearance of the posterior fragment in simple radiographs underestimates its potential multiplex. most of the hind walls are crushed or have areas where the articular surface along the margin of the main fracture line is affected in the underlying spongy bone. In general, fractures non-surgical treatment if the rest, the intact portion of the acetabular is large enough to maintain hip stability and alignment, however this condition is often difficult to determine. The clinical outcome has been shown to be directly related to precision reduction but precisely replacing all small rear wall fragments is often a difficult task. “
The reported recovery schedules for an articular hip are 6-8 weeks, and are for three to four months for acetabular fractures.
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Tua Tagovailoa Injury Schedule
Tagovailoa’s injury happened with 3:01 remaining in the first half. He ran out of pocket and fell behind two Mississippi defenders. He lay on the ground and, when assisted by training staff, could not put his right foot on the ground. It was eventually placed in an injury basket and removed from the field.
After the game, Saban said Tagovailoa’s injury was “a horrible thing you rarely see”, adding that he was at least as ready to play as he was against LSU last week.
Following the game, Aaron Suttles of The Athletic reported that Tagovailoa was out for the rest of the season with a fractured fracture and a back wall. Alabama later issued a statement from Dr. Cain saying that Tagovailoa’s hip had fallen and that he was “expected to make a full recovery”. The Alabama statement made no reference to a back wall fracture.
On Sunday following the game, Dr. Cain issued another statement saying Tagovailoa would fly to Houston to undergo surgery on Monday:
“For the past 24 hours, our medical team has consulted with many orthopedic experts around the country who specialize in hip injuries and surgical procedures,” Cain said. “Based on this research, Tua is moving to Houston and is scheduled to have hip surgery on Monday. As previously mentioned, we expect a full recovery. The main focus has been and will remain on Tua, his family, and taking care to provide them the best possible medical care. “
Dr. Cain gave another update Monday, saying Tagovailoa had undergone successful surgery and was resting comfortably. He called Tagovailoa’s prognosis “excellent” and reiterated that he was expecting him to “make a complete recovery.”
“Tua underwent successful surgery on her right hip Monday morning in Houston,” Cain said. “The process went as planned and is comfortable. Tua’s prognosis is excellent and we look forward to making a full recovery. He will return to Tuscaloosa in the coming days to begin detoxification.”
Laura Rutlege later said that Tagovailoa would be on a “six-week weight-loss plan” in Tuscaloosa. He is then expected to resume his sporting activity after three months. is expected to resume casting by spring.
Tagovailoa returned to Tuscaloosa on Friday after being injured. The same day, it was reported that his insurance contract with the University of Alabama did not include a loss-of-value policy that would have helped him recover millions from the next boards.
Regardless, Tagovailoa’s recovery seems to be going well. He was seen walking around on a crutch during the week of Alabama’s Citrus Bowl against Michigan.
Tagovailoa, along with family members and medical staff in Alabama, met with doctors in New York on Friday, January 4
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Tua Tagovailoa Injury Updates
January 3 – Tagovailoa, family members and educators in Alabama meet with doctors in New York.
1st of January – Tagovailoa seems to be walking the barrel at the Citrus Bowl. Announces after the game he will decide on January 6 whether to return to Alabama or leave for the NFL
November 22 – Tagovailoa returns to Tuscaloosa.
November 18 – Tagovailoa is undergoing “successful” hip surgery. Dr. Cain calls the prognosis “excellent”. Rutlege says Tagovailoa will be on a six-week weekly weight-lifting program, followed by repetitive exercise. It is expected to be able to fly again by spring.
November 17 – Tagovailoa is transported to Houston to undergo hip surgery the next day.
November 16 – Tagovailoa suffers from hip injury against Mississippi State. Aaron Suttles of Tagovailoa Sports Exhibitions has a dislocated hip and back wall. In a statement, Alabama orthopedic surgeon Dr. Cain says Tagovailoa is expected to make a full recovery, without reporting a fracture.
