QB Bryce Younger’s shoulder soreness not ‘almost as unhealthy,’ coach Nick Saban says

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 3 Alabama coach Nick Saban advised ESPN on Friday that quarterback Bryce Younger is on monitor to play Saturday at No. 6 Tennessee, however that the ultimate determination might be made throughout pregame warmups.

“He is executed much more in apply this week and thrown much more than he did every week in the past,” Saban stated. “He needs to play and appears like he is wholesome sufficient to play. We’ll know for positive as soon as he will get on the sector, begins throwing and the way he feels then.”

Younger, the Heisman Trophy winner a yr in the past, missed Alabama’s 24-20 win final week over Texas A&M after spraining his proper throwing shoulder every week earlier towards Arkansas.

Saban stated final week that Younger was a game-time determination, however Alabama determined previous to the sport that he wasn’t prepared and as a substitute performed redshirt freshman Jalen Milroe, who threw three landing passes but additionally had three turnovers.

Younger threw within the tunnel at Bryant-Denny Stadium every week in the past earlier than popping out onto the sector for warmups. He stood and watched the opposite quarterbacks in the course of the throwing a part of warmups.

Saban stated on Friday that he felt a lot better about Younger’s possibilities of enjoying than he did right now every week in the past.

The plan is for Younger to undergo full pregame warmups on Saturday at Neyland Stadium. Younger didn’t throw on Thursday, however that was by design to have him rested for recreation day.

“There is not any cause to hurry a quarterback again with this type of harm,” Saban stated. “Bryce is such a competitor that he all the time needs to play. The soreness he had final week hasn’t been almost as unhealthy. You possibly can see that when he throws it. However we nonetheless want to ensure every part checks out earlier than the sport.”

The Crimson Tide and Vols meet on Saturday for the primary time as unbeaten groups since 1989.

Younger has handed for 1,202 yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions this season. He is additionally rushed for 3 touchdowns. Younger is 18-2 as Alabama’s starter.

Saturday’s recreation ought to be one of many higher quarterback matchups of the season in faculty soccer. Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker has handed for 1,432 yards, 10 touchdowns and no interceptions. He is additionally rushed for 3 touchdowns.