Tua Tagovailoa recovering ‘better than expected’ from sprained ankle

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will sit out Saturday’s game against Arkansas, but it sounds like the news is good for the junior.

Tagovailoa suffered a high ankle sprain a week ago, but the recovery is moving along nicely. Coach Nick Saban told ESPN’s Tom Luginbill that, while the Crimson Tide aren’t rushing to put a timetable on Tagovailoa’s return, the quarterback is recovering “better than expected” and Alabama hopes to have him back within “a couple of weeks.”

“He’s absolutely doing even better than expected,” Saban said, via Charlie Potter of 247 Sports. “Didn’t have a lot of swelling this time around, so that sort of extenuates the ability to rehab. And he’s doing well.”

The big date to watch here is Nov. 9. That’s when Alabama will host LSU in what could be a decisive game in the SEC race. The Crimson Tide will want Tagovailoa back by then. He’ll be aided by the fact that Alabama has a bye before then, giving him two weeks with no other game to prepare for. Saban has been careful about not giving a timetable, likely to avoid raising expectation that Tagovailoa will definitely be ready for that big game.

Tagovailoa has thrown for 27 touchdowns to just two interceptions this year. Backup Mac Jones will start Saturday against Arkansas.