| Tide Sports
Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle will miss the remainder of the season after breaking his ankle on the opening kickoff of the team’s game against Tennessee, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban told CBS at halftime.
“It’s a shame because the guy’s a great player,” Saban told CBS.
“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. Not supposed to bring a ball out when you are that deep in the end zone. He’s a great player. You got to let him use his judgement.”
The blazing star was rolled up on returning the opening kick, and hobbled off the field. Waddle appeared to be putting almost no weight on his right leg as he received significant assistance in getting to a medical cart.
He was initially determined to be questionable to return before being ruled out of the game soon afterward. CBS showed Waddle being loaded into an ambulance to leave Neyland Stadium.
The junior was replaced by Slade Bolden, who immediately caught a pass for 12 yards.
Waddle was productive for Alabama in his first season as a full-time starter at wide receiver, catching 25 passes for 557 yards and four touchdowns. The 557 yards currently leads the team.
Bolden, Waddle’s replacement, was primarily used as a Wildcat quarterback last season. He caught two passes for 34 yards last season as a second-string receiver.
Bolden took Waddle’s place as the punt returner on Tennessee’s first possession; he took a fair catch on the punt.
Contributing: Jace Evans
