Alabama Stars Healing Up Nicely as Draft Approaches
After a grueling ten game all-SEC schedule and three postseason games for the Alabama Crimson Tide, several of the key players from the championship triumph were understandably pretty banged up by the time the season ended.
Some more than others, with perhaps no injury more significant to Alabama in 2020 than Jaylen Waddle's fractured ankle that he battled back from enough to at least see the field in the national championship game.
As impressive and absurd as it was for Waddle to even suit up less than three months after such a devastating injury to an electric playmaker, he was noticeably hampered by the injury and was never used significantly in the game plan. He still recorded three receptions for 34 yards.
Now, another four months later, according to pre-draft medical reports, Waddle is still healing properly from his injury, will still be a top pick in the draft, and should be ready to go for this upcoming NFL season.
As for two other hopeful early picks and Alabama stars who were on the field the entire season, DeVonta Smith and Najee Harris received positive medical reports as well.
Harris, who had been dealing with an ankle injury believed to have been suffered early on in the national championship, checked out medically with "no concerns" heading into the draft.
Smith, who suffered a dislocated finger as well as torn ligaments in his hand during the national championship, is also healing just fine and is not expected to have any issues moving forward with the injury.
For all three Crimson Tide legends, a clean bill of health is exactly what they are looking for with the NFL Draft now just 15 days away.