Alabama All-American safety Malachi Moore will undergo surgery and miss the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan on Dec. 31 in Tampa, Fla.
Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer didn’t reveal the nature of the surgery, but indicated Moore has been playing through it most of the season.
“He’s been going through an injury pretty much a lot of the season, and it just got to the point where he wasn’t going to be able to play,” DeBoer told reporters after Wednesday’s practice. “He wanted to do everything he could to get out there. He was trying to wait it out so he could see if it would be something he possibly could be able to participate in.”
Moore had 70 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles this season.
The Crimson Tide are deeply shorthanded at safety with Keon Sabb also done for the season due to injury and the decision of DeVonta Smith to transfer to Notre Dame.
“It’ll be a mix and match,” DeBoer said. “(Moore’s decision to have surgery) literally just happened, it’s not like we’ve had a week or two to think and work through this. But it’ll be young guys.”
Moore has 214 tackles and seven interceptions in five seasons at Alabama.
