Is Nick Saban to blame for putting Jaylen Waddle at an increased risk of injury?

Jaylen Waddle is out for the year, so should we blame Nick Saban for his star player’s injury?

Nick Saban and the Alabama football team will have to adjust to life without Jaylen Waddle.

The Alabama Crimson Tide’s most skilled offensive playmaker suffered a season-ending ankle injury on the opening kickoff vs. the cross-divisional rival Tennessee Volunteers. Waddle is a first-round talent at the wide receiver position, but does return kicks and punts for the Crimson Tide. With him out for the year, does Saban deserve some blame for putting Waddle out there like that?

Don’t think about blaming Saban for Waddle’s injury

Football is a game where there is an ever-present risk of injury. It is not if you get hurt, it is when you get hurt. While it stinks for Alabama that Waddle’s 2020 season, and possibly his college career, has come to an end, you cannot really blame a head coach for not playing his best players in areas where they can succeed. Waddle was the best return man in his Power 5 conference.

This is not the first time a star player has suffered a season-ending injury at Neyland Stadium on the first play of the game, nor will it be the last. The turf may be finicky, but these things happen in the game of football, no matter where you play. While Waddle may or may not return kicks at the professional level, he sure was great at it while starring for the Crimson Tide. It stinks he is out.

If a guy is the best returner on a roster, it would be a disservice not to use him in that role.

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