Saban says Tua Tagovailoa will be a 'game-time decision' against LSU

Tua Tagovailoa was not seen at the media viewing period of practice Wednesday. However, the starting quarterback was able to rejoin the Alabama Crimson Tide on a limited basis. Nick Saban provided the latest update on the left-hander during his post-practice news conference.

“Tua took some snaps today in practice, did a few things on air,” Saban said. “He was not involved in any team situations. And again, this is going to be a day-by-day, game-day decision, and there’s nothing really else that I can say about it.

“I can tell you that his mentality has been really good in terms of how he’s working, the things that he’s doing and how he’s progressing and his attitude toward trying to get back on the field and trying to progress. So that’s always a good sign.”

During his appearance on the SEC teleconference earlier Wednesday, Saban said Tagovailoa is “progressing well.”

Earlier in the teleconference, LSU head coach Ed Orgeron said he has “no doubt” Tagovailoa will play when No. 2 Alabama hosts No. 1 LSU next week.

“We’re planning for him to play, and I think that he will play,” Orgeron said. “Knowing the competitor that he is, he’s going to be in that game.”

Saban also confirmed that starting tight end Miller Forristall will miss an extended amount of time after getting hit in the throat during last week’s game against Arkansas. Forrsitall was able to return to the game, but the injury has since been deemed more serious.

“We sort of further examined him, and he does have an injury to his voice box that required surgery that will keep him out probably for, I don’t know, six weeks or so,” Saban said. “This is an area where you’re talking about affecting your breathing and affecting your voice. It’s important to make sure we take care of it the right way.”

During his evening news conference, Saban was also asked about the status of freshman specialist Will Reichard who suffered a hip flexor injury against Southern Miss on Sept. 21 before reaggravating it against Tennessee on Oct. 19.

“I can’t tell you,” Saban said when asked for Reichard’s outlook moving forward. “This has been a very frustrating injury for him and for us. We had two or three weeks where we thought he was ready to come back, and then he had a setback. So we’re going to be really cautious with how we bring him back this time around.”

Saban wasn’t the only coach who provided injury updates on the day. During the SEC teleconference, Oregon expressed optimism toward junior safety Grant Delpit who left LSU’s game against Auburn last week with an ankle injury.

“I feel like Grant Delpit’s going to be ready,” Orgeron said. “It’s going to be close. I don’t know how much he’s going to practice this week or next week, but I do believe he’ll be game-time ready.”

No. 2 Alabama (8-0, 5-0 in the SEC) and No. 1 LSU (8-0, 4-0) will meet on Nov. 9 at 2:30 p.m. CT inside of Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game will be televised by CBS.

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