| FTBL Jaylen Waddle injury news

[rick4bama]

It was bad....
It was not the "gross bone sticking through the skin bad"..that they wouldn’t show...
Like Tuas...they showed it over n over when it happened...
But i sure got tired of hearing about it

Thing about it with me. I bust up my knee torn ligament. So any type of injury will turn my head a lot.

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

One other reason the injury sucks (admittedly selfishly), is that there was a pretty dynamic offensive package that revolved around Waddle in the backfield. Sark teased it a couple of times, even going back to last season's A&M game, but there was some stuff they were keeping in the playbook for some bigger games ahead. I hate that we didn't get to see a full career from him. Much like Tua, it just feels like we were cheated, even though that's how the cards fall sometimes. It was kind of hard for me to find enjoyment in the game after he went out. By all accounts, he's a really good kid and a good teammate. He's going to be drafted and I hope he has a long, successful, and fruitful career in the League.

That pretty much summed it up for as well. I hate it for him because as CNS said "All of college football lost a great player today." The dude was is the most dynamic player in the game.

The game almost felt like a loss because we lost him.

BTW, that makes two players now banged up by those puke orange viles... This makes me hate them even more. I was hoping we scored 100 on them yesterday after that play.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Hate to see ANY kid get an injury but it is part of the game. Just hate it for the kid. Hope he recovers and comes back good as new. Here is a question I have not heard anyone ask, does this at least get him to pause and consider coming back next year? I would assume since an ankle probably not. Does this impact his draft position if he does go out?

Wouldn't make sense for him to come back. Could it impact his draft position? Possibly but not necessarily, especially if the medicals come back positive (which I'm sure they will). Some teams gets more spooked about that stuff than others, and there are a lot of variables in play even when a guy is 100% healthy. But in the end, he's going to get paid well, and if I was betting today, even with the talent rich WR draft class, he will still end up selected on Day 1.

 

[Tidestalker]

Wouldn't make sense for him to come back. Could it impact his draft position? Possibly but not necessarily, especially if the medicals come back positive (which I'm sure they will). Some teams gets more spooked about that stuff than others, and there are a lot of variables in play even when a guy is 100% healthy. But in the end, he's going to get paid well, and if I was betting today, even with the talent rich WR draft class, he will still end up selected on Day 1.

In my amateur view I had Waddle in that 6-10 ish range... Taking into consideration through my Crimson glasses what he would have done this year on the biggest stages. (The value of Tyreke Hill types, elite returner, etc.)

I can't see him falling out of the 1st round, but now more in that 20+ range. No matter how you cut it, an injury in the draft year can only hurt a guys stock.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

In my amateur view I had Waddle in that 6-10 ish range... Taking into consideration through my Crimson glasses what he would have done this year on the biggest stages. (The value of Tyreke Hill types, elite returner, etc.)

I can't see him falling out of the 1st round, but now more in that 20+ range. No matter how you cut it, an injury in the draft year can only hurt a guys stock.

His value as a returner definitely helps him. Kid has a LOT going for him that teams will love and has the personality that will earn a lot of endorsement opportunities too.

 

[Tidestalker]

His value as a returner definitely helps him. Kid has a LOT going for him that teams will love and has the personality that will earn a lot of endorsement opportunities too.

I've seen he and D. Smith kind of go back in fourth in mock draft value over the months. What has impressed me about D Smith is just the consistency and toughness he's played with. When he first got here you'd see the thin frame and wonder how long he can last. But the last 2 years he's really shown he can take a lick, block, and make tough plays in big moments.

On the other hand I think Waddle because of the more compact frame plays with a little more strength & explosiveness. Smith may be the more well rounded guy but we saw how the NFL can value the deep ball when Ruggs went before Jeudy. The punt return thing is huge as well (did he muff 1 in 3 years??). You mentioned the attitude/personality that Jaylen has shown... Such a great aspect of his value. Never 1 time has he outwardly shown discontent with his limited roles or opportunities, when he's literally had the biggest gripe of anyone in the country. Smith on the other hand has shown a little bit of that on the sidelines... Certainly not at a concerning level, but we just haven't seen that from JW.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I've seen he and D. Smith kind of go back in fourth in mock draft value over the months. What has impressed me about D Smith is just the consistency and toughness he's played with. When he first got here you'd see the thin frame and wonder how long he can last. But the last 2 years he's really shown he can take a lick, block, and make tough plays in big moments.

On the other hand I think Waddle because of the more compact frame plays with a little more strength & explosiveness. Smith may be the more well rounded guy but we saw how the NFL can value the deep ball when Ruggs went before Jeudy. The punt return thing is huge as well (did he muff 1 in 3 years??). You mentioned the attitude/personality that Jaylen has shown... Such a great aspect of his value. Never 1 time has he outwardly shown discontent with his limited roles or opportunities, when he's literally had the biggest gripe of anyone in the country. Smith on the other hand has shown a little bit of that on the sidelines... Certainly not at a concerning level, but we just haven't seen that from JW.

I will say this, I just reached out a few minutes ago to my friend Tony Pauline. I've known Tony for nearly 15 years, and IMO, he's the best NFL Draft guy in the business. The disclaimer here is, we don't know how bad the injury is yet, and I'd imagine Saban will offer an update on Monday (if there isn't a press release before then). But, Tony said at this point, with this injury, Waddle should seriously consider coming back to Bama for another season. Said this would impact him a big way ($$$) on draft day. Again though, I'll say that at this point, we don't know just how bad it is. I was kinda surprised by his take, but I trust him more than any draft guy in the business and he sure as hell knows a lot more than me.

 

[mando]

I will say this, I just reached out a few minutes ago to my friend Tony Pauline. I've known Tony for nearly 15 years, and IMO, he's the best NFL Draft guy in the business. The disclaimer here is, we don't know how bad the injury is yet, and I'd imagine Saban will offer an update on Monday (if there isn't a press release before then). But, Tony said at this point, with this injury, Waddle should seriously consider coming back to Bama for another season. Said this would impact him a big way ($$$) on draft day. Again though, I'll say that at this point, we don't know just how bad it is. I was kinda surprised by his take, but I trust him more than any draft guy in the business and he sure as hell knows a lot more than me.

Interesting so the belief must be that this kind of injury is performance impacting. I was thinking if a high ankle with fracture and Drake came back from it w/o issues probably not a big deal. Purely a non educated position. As you say the severity of the injury should become clear in the next day or two.

 

[94 Grad]

Just depends... if he’s projected in bottom end of round 1 and if he stays can move up into the top end of round 1 it a bunch of money.

Then again, you always risk injury again and dropping even lower or out completely and bottom of round 1 money ain’t nothing to sneeze at.

if it was me... I’d leave if I was projected bottom of round 1. The money isn’t as much, but on the upside you more than likely go to a better team.

 

[TerryP]

I don't recall @Brandon Van de Graaff what did Tony say about Tua last year?

 

[Tidestalker]

Just depends... if he’s projected in bottom end of round 1 and if he stays can move up into the top end of round 1 it a bunch of money.

Then again, you always risk injury again and dropping even lower or out completely and bottom of round 1 money ain’t nothing to sneeze at.

if it was me... I’d leave if I was projected bottom of round 1. The money isn’t as much, but on the upside you more than likely go to a better team.

It's all relative... But if you saw the difference in $ over the first contract between the say 7th pick and the 27th pick, it's very significant.

1st round is a legit cut off for a lot of reasons, but all 1st rounders aren't created =. One time I did the math on Tua dropping just 2 spots after his injury and it was significant.

 

[Tidestalker]

I will say this, I just reached out a few minutes ago to my friend Tony Pauline. I've known Tony for nearly 15 years, and IMO, he's the best NFL Draft guy in the business. The disclaimer here is, we don't know how bad the injury is yet, and I'd imagine Saban will offer an update on Monday (if there isn't a press release before then). But, Tony said at this point, with this injury, Waddle should seriously consider coming back to Bama for another season. Said this would impact him a big way ($$$) on draft day. Again though, I'll say that at this point, we don't know just how bad it is. I was kinda surprised by his take, but I trust him more than any draft guy in the business and he sure as hell knows a lot more than me.

That bums me out. On a few different levels.

And once again IMO opens the door on what I believe is a legitimate conversation about whether or not a guy like Waddle playing this season made sense for his future.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I don't recall @Brandon Van de Graaff what did Tony say about Tua last year?

Can't remember for sure but I think he was saying not long after the hip injury that he was likely headed to the NFL regardless (he confirmed that a few days before Tua announced) but that his draft stock would boil down to the medical opinions of the teams.

 

[BamaFan334]

I've seen he and D. Smith kind of go back in fourth in mock draft value over the months. What has impressed me about D Smith is just the consistency and toughness he's played with. When he first got here you'd see the thin frame and wonder how long he can last. But the last 2 years he's really shown he can take a lick, block, and make tough plays in big moments.

On the other hand I think Waddle because of the more compact frame plays with a little more strength & explosiveness. Smith may be the more well rounded guy but we saw how the NFL can value the deep ball when Ruggs went before Jeudy. The punt return thing is huge as well (did he muff 1 in 3 years??). You mentioned the attitude/personality that Jaylen has shown... Such a great aspect of his value. Never 1 time has he outwardly shown discontent with his limited roles or opportunities, when he's literally had the biggest gripe of anyone in the country. Smith on the other hand has shown a little bit of that on the sidelines... Certainly not at a concerning level, but we just haven't seen that from JW.

The way he comes back to the ball amazes me. His development has just been amazing. The burst of speed starting his sophomore year against Louisville really surprised me, and I technically felt he was better than Jeiudy and Ruggs. He saved an interception against Georgia by coming back to the ball Mac threw late and just stole it from a defender. His body control is off the charts, just like Waddle. Smith is an all around guy.

 

[TerryP]

BTW, that makes two players now banged up by those puke orange viles.

If by two, you're including Tua, you're still off by one.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

That bums me out. On a few different levels.

And once again IMO opens the door on what I believe is a legitimate conversation about whether or not a guy like Waddle playing this season made sense for his future.

It's all a gamble. Even going into yesterday I'm told there are things he needed to improve on, so coming out last year in the deep class might not have been the best idea. This class is deep too in WR's. Sucks that it happened, but the initial word yesterday was that it wasn't a horrible deal (with his ankle). I don't know if that has changed, but I think he will be ok. But the point was made that for WR's, it's the type of injury that scares teams. Also, I don't know if UA's policy on loss of value insurance changed in the last year (I very seriously doubt it has), but there's nothing stopping the families of some of these guys from getting the insurance (basically requires taking out a loan), so it is possible that he has that as well.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

The way he comes back to the ball amazes me. His development has just been amazing. The burst of speed starting his sophomore year against Louisville really surprised me, and I technically felt he was better than Jeiudy and Ruggs. He saved an interception against Georgia by coming back to the ball Mac threw late and just stole it from a defender. His body control is off the charts, just like Waddle. Smith is an all around guy.

You nailed it. Smith is viewed as the best prospect of the 4. He's just got it all. Really shows how spoiled Bama has been at the position the last 3 years...

 

[TerryP]

Waddle is in quite a bit of pain after the procedure but all in all in a good "mental" place. I'm told the procedure went as well as expected.

He's looking at several months for his rehabilitation. As you may recall with Drake (practically the same type of injury) he spent right at nine weeks in the boot.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Waddle is in quite a bit of pain after the procedure but all in all in a good "mental" place. I'm told the procedure went as well as expected.

He's looking at several months for his rehabilitation. As you may recall with Drake (practically the same type of injury) he spent right at nine weeks in the boot.

Norman will get him fixed up..... I told him after my wife's surgery that he got Eddie Lacy to run in the NFL yet my wife can't even run the vacuum cleaner

 

[Rolltide24]

UT struck again. Lattimore, Chubb, Tua (at least they didn’t end his season or career), and now Waddle.