Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has ankle surgery

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had surgery Sunday to help repair a high-ankle sprain he suffered against Tennessee.

The ‘tightrope’ procedure gives him the chance to return in 20 days when the Crimson Tide hosts LSU in a crucial SEC West showdown.

“Our physicians performed a successful tight-rope procedure on his right ankle this morning,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said in a statement. “This is the same injury, but the opposite ankle that Tua injured last season. Tua will miss next week’s game against Arkansas, but we expect a full and speedy recovery.”

No. 1 Alabama hosts Arkansas next week before a bye week leading into the LSU game. Mac Jones is expected to start at quarterback.