Star University of Alabama wide receiver and returner Jaylen Waddle is out for the remainder of the 2020 college football season, per head coach Nick Saban.
Waddle was injured returning the opening kickoff out of the end zone during the Crimson Tide’s Saturday game at Tennessee. Reports indicate that Waddle suffered a broken ankle.
“He’s out. He’s out. He’s out for the year,” Saban told CBS at halftime of the game. “And it’s a shame because the guy’s a great player. It’s exciting for college football to see a guy play like that. I hate it that he gets hurt on a play like that.”
The legendary coach acknowledged that players are generally not supposed to return kickoffs from so deep in the end zone, adding, “[B]ut he’s a great player so you’ve got to let him use his judgement.”
Nick Saban tells @JamieErdahl that Jaylen Waddle will be out for the year after injury vs. Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/HYcExcqayo
— SEConCBS (@SEConCBS) October 24, 2020
Sophomore Slade Bolden has now undertaken Waddle’s wide receiver slot and punt returning duties. Waddle is a junior and could have played his last snap for the Tide. He is considered one of — if not the — most explosive players in college football.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
