Alabama Quarterback Bryce Young Suffers Sprained Shoulder at Arkansas

Reigning Heisman Trophy winner suffered an apparent shoulder injury during the second quarter, is considered day-to-day.

Christopher Walsh | Oct 1, 2022

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Alabama Crimson Tide

University of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young suffered a sprained shoulder during Saturday's game at Arkansas.

Nick Saban disclosed the injury to CBS before its game broadcast ended.

"We love Bryce," Saban said. "Bryce has a sprained shoulder. We'll get a diagnosis on it and see how it goes."

During his press conference, Saban said Young was considered day-to-day.

"Bryce has a little AC sprain in his shoulder," he said. "We'll have to take it day-by-day. I think he's ok. He doesn't have a serious injury.

"He didn't go back in the game today because he didn't have much steam on the ball. He's had these before and in a few days he starts to respond pretty well. So we'll just have to see how it goes."

Young was in pain after a pass attempt to wide receiver Traeshon Holden on third-and-8 during the first series of the second quarter. He immediately headed off the field and pointed to his throwing shoulder when talking to Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban.

After throwing down his helmet in frustration, the quarterback subsequently entered the Alabama medical tent where he remained for an extended period of time before running to the locker room midway through the quarter. He didn't move his right arm while heading in.

The sideline reporter said on the broadcast that she heard a loud yell from Alabama's medical tent shortly after Young entered.

The quarterback was back on the sideline for the second half with his helmet. He was described as being "questionable" to return, and Young didn't have his arm in a sling.

Young stood in the huddle with teammates prior to Alabama's first snaps of the third quarter, but returned to the sideline with the reserves.

Young landed hard on his his throwing shoulder with his arm extended two plays previous, scrambling to his right when trying to avoid former Alabama linebacker Drew Sanders. The possession ended with kicker Will Reichard missing a 53-yard field-goal attempt.

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner was 7-for-13 for 173 yards, with one touchdown and one interception when he left the game. He also ran in a touchdown.

Alabama was ahead 14-0 at the time of the injury. Redshirt freshman Jalen Milroe entered the game and quickly led a short touchdown drive for a 21-0 lead. The Crimson Tide extended its advantage to 28-0 on a 22-yard touchdown by JoJo Earle, who was playing in his first game this season due to an injury.

Former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron tweeted that he twice suffered a similar injury to his AC joint and labrum against Tennessee and Arkansas.

That fall from Bryce Young with his arm extended is 100% AC Joint and Labrum! I injured mine twice the exact same way extending my arm for the Goal line against Tenn my Senior Yr and of all teams Arkansas my first year starting!
— AJ McCarron (@10AJMcCarron) October 1, 2022

Young came into the game with 1,029 yards on 83-of-121 passing with 13 scores and two interceptions, to go with 16 carries for 150 yards and two scores on the ground.

Christopher Walsh is the founder and publisher of BamaCentral, which first published in 2018. He's covered the Crimson Tide since 2004, and is the author of 26 books including Decade of Dominance, 100 Things Crimson Tide Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Nick Saban vs. College Football, and Bama Dynasty: The Crimson Tide's Road to College Football Immortality. He's an eight-time honoree of Football Writers Association of America awards and three-time winner of the Herby Kirby Memorial Award, the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s highest writing honor for story of the year. In 2022, he was named one of the 50 Legends of the ASWA. Previous beats include the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, along with Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks. Originally from Minnesota and a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he currently resides in Tuscaloosa.

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