Alabama coach Nick Saban gave the media the latest update on injured quarterback Bryce Young in his Monday afternoon press conference.
Saban said Young was "getting re-evaluated today" and he hoped to have the Heisman winner back this Saturday.
“Bryce is getting re-evaluated today,” Saban said Monday afternoon. “I don’t really know much. I haven’t really talked to doc since he did that. Hopefully, we’re going to try to get him ready to play this week. But this is something that nobody can predict how quickly this is going to give him an opportunity to be able to go out and do what he needs to do, and we’ll see as the week progresses. But I don’t have an update much more than that.”
Bryce Young was knocked out of the game in the second quarter against Arkansas on Oct. 1 with an AC sprain in his throwing shoulder and hasn’t taken a snap since being sidelined. With Young’s absence, Alabama has looked to redshirt freshman Jalen Milroe to lead the offense. Last Saturday against Texas A&M, Milroe got his first start and led the Crimson Tide to a 24-20 victory over the Aggies. Milroe threw for three touchdowns and rushed for 83 yards, but all the focus was on his lack of ball security. The inexperienced quarterback had two fumbles and an interception in his first career start.
Saban was asked about Milroe’s performance against Texas A&M.
"I just think Jalen played with a lot of anxiety," Saban replied. "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. You can't turn the ball over and not execute plays like they're designed relative to the read of what you should and shouldn't do.
"So, those things are all things that we definitely need to improve on so that we can utilize all 11 players on our offensive team. We have skill guys that can make plays. We've got to distribute the ball at the quarterback position so that they can. Whether it's a run or a pass or an RPO or an advantage throw, we've got to make the right choices and decisions on those things."
Alabama certainly needs Young back Saturday as they travel to Tennessee and face a pass defense that can easily be exploited, giving up 307 passing yards per game. The sixth-ranked Vols have a high-powered offense that Alabama will have to try and keep up with.
The heated rivals kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT in front of a nationally-televised audience on CBS.
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