MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: DeVonta Smith #6 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on following the College Football Playoff National Championship game win over the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)The only thing capable of slowing down DeVonta Smith in the national title game was an injury. After having a dominant first half on Monday night, the Alabama wideout missed the majority of the second half because he hurt his finger.
It was unclear during the game what the exact injury was for Smith, who was seen celebrating with his hand wrapped up. Once the final whistle was blown, Nick Saban provided some intel on the Heisman winner’s injury.
Saban revealed that Smith dislocated his finger. He actually wanted to go back in the game, but Alabama didn’t allow him to since the score was so lopsided.
“Well, he really dislocated his finger,” Saban said. “I told Smitty after the game, I said, You’re the only player that I know that missed a whole half because of your finger. It was dislocated and they couldn’t get it back in. If they’d have got it back in, he would have been fine. He actually wanted to play, we just didn’t allow him to.”
Saban explained Devonta Smith’s dislocated finger in the post-game, and why it kept him out: pic.twitter.com/2uASIT3LvP
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Usually injuries of that magnitude don’t keep a player out for very long, but the Crimson Tide did the right thing by taking the cautious approach with Smith.
Despite sitting out most of the second half, Smith finished the game with 12 receptions for 215 yards and three touchdowns.
Smith most likely played his final game at Alabama, as he is projected to be a top-10 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
