MOBILE, Alabama — Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy cracked a bone in his throwing hand during Saturday’s Under Armour Senior Bowl and is expected to miss about two weeks of throwing.
McElroy completed a pass on the first play of the fourth quarter to South Alabama’s Courtney Smith, but hit his right hand on a helmet on the follow-through. He completed the series, but did not come back into the game.
“I had no feeling the rest of the series,” he said immediately after the game. “The ball was kind of sporadic. I couldn’t get a grip on the ball. I still can’t get a grip on the ball. I think it will be OK.”
X-rays at the stadium minutes later revealed a bone near his thumb was cracked, according to his father.
McElroy was 5-of-8 passing for 36 yards. He was invited to the NFL combine beginning Feb. 23 in Indianapolis.
NO. 12 IS NO. 12: McElroy wore jersey No. 12 at Alabama. On Saturday, he became the 12th Crimson Tide quarterback to play in the Senior Bowl.
Other Alabama quarterbacks to play in the game include Joe Namath (1965), Steve Sloan (1966), Scott Hunter (1971), Richard Todd (1976), Jeff Rutledge (1979), Walter Lewis (1984), Mike Shula (1987), Gary Hollingsworth (1991), Jay Barker (1995), Brodie Croyle (2006) and John Parker Wilson (2009).
CHAMPS AT TACKLE: The South squad opened the game with a couple of national champions at offensive tackle. Alabama’s James Carpenter, whose Crimson Tide won the national crown in 2009, started at left tackle. Auburn’s Lee Ziemba, who helped the Tigers win the title this season, started on the right side.
Carpenter and Ziemba helped the South drive 73 yards in 10 plays for Josh Jasper’s 23-yard field goal to open the scoring.
FIRST-ROUND TALENT: Ten players from last year’s Senior Bowl were first-round selections in the 2010 NFL draft, led by Cal defensive lineman Tyson Alualu, who was taken with the No. 10 overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Several players in this year’s game are projected to go in the first round, including Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller, Colorado offensive tackle Nate Solder, Boston College offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo, Cal defensive lineman Cameron Jordan and Washington quarterback Jake Locker.
DYAS REMEMBERED: Mobile’s Dr. Ed Dyas, who died Sunday at the age of 71, was honored at Saturday’s game. Dyas, a former Auburn All-American, played in the 1961 Senior Bowl and later served on the Senior Bowl committee for more than 30 years.
A moment of silence was observed before the game, and the players wore a sticker on their helmet with the initials ED.
via Senior Bowl Notebook: Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy cracks bone in throwing hand | al.com.
