Latest update on Tua Tagovailoa’s health entering 2020 NFL Draft

The 2020 NFL Draft is just hours away, and one of the top prospects is hoping teams feel comfortable enough with his health status to make him an early pick.

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had his 2019 season cut short by a gruesome hip injury, but all signs indicated his recovery is going as well as possible.

ESPN’s Stephania Bell relayed this update from the independent doctor who evaluated Tagovailoa’s progress most recently:

I spoke w/Dr. Thomas Byrd, hip specialist in Nashville; he was independent evaluator for Tua’s medical recheck. 3 things struck me:
1) his x-rays looked “pristine”
2) CT scan of right hip joint space mirrors the left
3) “looks as good as (he’s) ever seen 5 mos out” post-injury

— Stephania Bell (@Stephania_ESPN) April 23, 2020

While many wonder if Tagovailoa could slip down the board Thursday night, don’t be surprised if at least one team feels confident enough in his status to use a top-five pick on him, even if they have to trade up to make it happen.