Bryce Young in uniform but Jalen Milroe starts for Alabama football vs. Texas A&M
Bryce Young was in uniform for Alabama football during warmups, but Jalen Milroe was given the keys to the offense to start the game vs. Texas A&M.
With Young fresh off a shoulder injury, Milroe jogged out with the starting offense. After moving the ball to start, the offense faltered on the first drive and had to punt.
Young did not throw at all during warmups. He was announced as the starter on the video board and was a captain for the game, going out for the coin toss. Then Milroe got the start.
Young was not the only starter out. Linebacker Jaylen Moody was in street clothes on the sideline.
Young injured his shoulder in the second quarter against Arkansas last Saturday. Nick Saban called it a "little AC sprain" after the game against the Razorbacks.
Young had been able to practice some this week, Saban said on his radio show Thursday. Young was deemed a game-time decision, based on how well Young could throw the ball pregame.
"There's no real bad damage or anything like that in his shoulder, so this is not a long-term thing. but he still has some soreness," Saban said Thursday.
No. 1 Alabama (5-0, 2-0 SEC) is set to face Texas A&M (3-2, 1-1) on Saturday (7 p.m., CBS) at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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Saban said Thursday he thinks Young would know whether he can go out there and do it or not. "He's a sharp guy," Saban said, and that Alabama would make a decision based on that.
"The way we've treated this from a medical standpoint is overuse would really set him back," Saban said Thursday.
Young is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and has completed 90 of 134 passes for 1,202 yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions. Young has also rushed for three touchdowns this season.
After Young left the game against Arkansas, Jalen Milroe replaced him. Alabama scored 35 points with Milroe leading the offense. He went 4-for-9 for 65 yards and a touchdown through the air, but he was dangerous on the ground. Milroe ran for 91 yards and a touchdown. That included a 77-yard run that stole momentum away from Arkansas in the third quarter.
"Jalen, we all see him make plays in the game, make plays in practice, we expect him to do the same thing while he’s out there," guard Emil Ekiyor Jr. said Tuesday. "Everyone on the offense has the utmost confidence in Jalen, all the coaches have the confidence in Jalen. That’s what’s so great about Alabama. One great player goes down, another great one comes up."
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Bryce Young in uniform but Jalen Milroe starts for Alabama football vs. Texas A&M
