Alabama's Tagovailoa avoids serious injury after leaving vs. Missouri

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left Saturday's game against Missouri during the third quarter with an apparent lower-body injury.

Tagovailoa was slow to get up after sliding at the end of a running play but eventually jogged to the sidelines. Jalen Hurts took over for the Crimson Tide in Tagovailoa's absence.

Tagovailoa was later seen on the sideline with his helmet on and was available to return to the game if needed.

"Tua could have went back in the game ... sort of tweaked his knee a little bit. We don’t think there are any issues with it," Alabama head coach Nick Saban told reporters postgame.

The sophomore quarterback has emerged as one of the Heisman Trophy favorites, throwing for 21 touchdowns with no interceptions.

Prior to leaving the game, Tagovailoa went 12 of 22 for 265 yards and three touchdowns.