Mackensie Alexander injury: Clemson cornerback sidelined by hamstring

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Mackensie Alexander (2) is helped off the field in the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Mackensie Alexander (2) is helped off the field in the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Clemson Tigers star cornerback Mackenzie Alexander re-injured his hamstring in the National Championship game

The Clemson Tigers had a number of injury concerns on the defensive side of the ball coming into the College Football Playoff National Championship game and the huge matchup with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Defensive end Shaq Lawson was dealing with an MCL injury and cornerback Mackenzie Alexander was dealing with a hamstring injury. While both made plays early, Alexander seemed to succumb to a re-injury of the hamstring.

Midway through the second quarter, Alexander flocked to the ball-carrier as Heisman winner Derrick Henry took a carry up the middle. As he tried to bring down Henry, though, his leg bent awkwardly and he stayed down on the turf before being taken to the sidelines where he received icing and treatment from trainers and coaches:

Alexander’s status for the rest of the title game is uncertain, but it’s not a promising sign considering the obvious pain he was in after trying to make that tackle on Henry and the fact that he was hurt and questionable before the opening kickoff.

If that is how things play out, that could be a costly blow for the Tigers as Alexander had done a fantastic job against stud Tide receiver Calvin Ridley prior to the hamstring acting up.