Alabama Quarterback Tua Tagovailloa to Have Hip Surgery

Crimson Tide quarterback being moved to Houston to undergo procedure

University of Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will undergo surgery for his season-ending hip injury on Monday. 

Alabama released the following statement from Dr. Lyle Cain, the team's orthopedic surgeon, Sunday evening:

“For the past 24 hours our medical team has consulted with multiple orthopedic experts across the country, who specialize in hip injuries and surgeries. Based on that research, Tua is being flown to Houston tonight to be evaluated and is scheduled to have hip surgery Monday. As previously stated, we anticipate a full recovery. The main focus has been, and will remain, on Tua, his family, and making sure we are providing them the best medical care possible.”

Tagovailoa suffered a right hip dislocation during the second quarter against Mississippi State on Saturday. The swelling was immediately reduced and he was airlifted to Birmingham after leaving Davis Wade Stadium in an ambulance.

Just that injury alone can take months of recovery, but there can often be a fracture as well. 

Tagovailoa was trying to avoid two pass-rushers when both landed on him. Trainers tried to help him off the field, but as soon as he attempted to put weight on his right leg they called for a cart. 

After the game, Nick Saban described it as "kind of a freak thing that you seldom see."

"We hate it that he got injured," the coach added. "We hate it for him. We hate it for his family. I hate it if any player on our team gets injured. So, godspeed to him and his entire family, and our thoughts and prayers are with him. Hopefully, this is not so serious that it has any longterm effect on his future as a player."

Tagovailoa was 14-for-18 for 256 yards with two touchdowns. Alabama was ahead 35-7 at the time. The Crimson Tide eventually won 38-7. 

Tagovailoa finished his junior year with 2,840 passing yards and 33 touchdowns with a 71.4 completion percentage and a passer rating of 206.93. 

The quarterback was visited by numerous teammates on Sunday. 

It'll be the second surgical procedure Tagovailoa's recently had, and third in a year. 

He had surgery on Oct. 20 to help his right high-ankle sprain suffered against Tennessee heal, the same procedure Tagovailoa underwent on his other ankle last December.  

Tagovailoa came back 20 days later and threw for 418 yards and four touchdowns, with two turnovers, against LSU. He was considered a game-time decision for Mississippi State, but ended up starting.

Meanwhile, Alabama will return to practice on Monday. The No. 5 Crimson Tide (9-1), which is still in the running to make the College Football Playoff, hosts Western Carolina on Saturday and will then conclude the regular season at Auburn on Nov. 30.

This story will be updated if necessary