Saturday’s loss to Tennessee was Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe’s worst performance of the year. His accuracy was noticeably worse, and he just didn’t look like the same quarterback from earlier in the season.
Milroe completed just 25 of his 45 attempts and threw two interceptions. Also, for the first time this season, he was unable to record a rushing touchdown while carrying the ball 14 times for only 11 yards. This uncharacteristic performance raised concerns about the highly talented quarterback's health status.
On Monday morning's “The Next Round,” Alabama captain and starting left guard Tyler Booker was asked if Milroe was 100% healthy against Tennessee.
“Jalen Milroe is 100%,” Booker quickly answered.
Booker then followed up with a clarification of his answer.
"Just thinking about it, me just saying — I think I answered it a little too quickly," Booker said. “Nobody is ever 100%. I'm hurting right now. Playing football in the SEC, you're never going to be 100%. What I meant to say is Jalen, he's on the field and he's going to be able to do everything in his power to help us win that game."
“Sorry I rushed that answer that question and didn't give it my full thought. You're never going to be 100% playing football in the SEC," he added. "When you're on that field, you're giving your all.”
“Jalen Milroe is 100%.”@iamtylerbooker went on to say, “I think I answered that a little bit too quickly. Nobody is ever going to be 100%. I’m hurting right now. Playing football in the SEC, you’re never going to be 100%. What I meant to say is Jalen is going to be able to do… pic.twitter.com/4hA5uh9jA1
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) October 21, 2024
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer addressed the question of Milroe’s health vaguely during his Monday press conference.
“I think at this point in the year, I don‘t think there’s many guys who play a lot of snaps who don‘t have something and just working through it,” DeBoer said. “He‘s more than capable. As he goes through the week, you‘re just ready to play on Saturday. There‘s nothing that’s going to be holding him back from going out there and being able to help us get a win. I’m confident of that.”
No. 15 Alabama will host No. 21 Missouri on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. The matchup will serve as Alabama’s homecoming game and will be televised on ABC.
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