The most discussed hip on the planet seems to be doing well hours ahead of the NFL Draft.
Tua Tagovailoa, the Alabama star quarterback some believe will fall in the draft due to his lengthy injury history, received rave reviews from a hip specialist in Nashville, according to ESPN.
Dr. Thomas Byrd, the independent evaluator for Tagovailoa’s medical check, said his most recent x-rays looked “pristine,” and he looks as healthy as he has in the last five months. Additionally, a CT scan of his right hip join space is the same as the left.
The 22-year-old southpaw dislocated his right hip nine games into the 2019 season, and missed the remainder of the year. He also suffered sprained ankles in each of the previous two seasons that required minor operations, leading to doubt about how wise of a choice he would be early in the first round.
“It’s going to be the million-dollar question,” lead ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said on WEEI Radio in Boston.
When healthy, Tagovailoa has been dynamic, producing at a prolific rate. This past season, he threw for 2,840 yards, 33 touchdowns, three interceptions and a 71.4 completion percentage in nine games. The year before, he finished second in the Heisman Trophy race, throwing for 3,966 yards, 43 touchdowns, six interceptions and 69.0 completion percentage.