Jaden Springer exits game against Alabama with ankle injury

An ugly start to Tennessee’s game against Alabama on Saturday night got worse. Five-star freshman guard Jaden Springer went down with an ankle injury and was ruled out after halftime.

Springer could be seen having his ankle worked on in the tunnel during the first half. He hit one three in just five minutes played against the Crimson Tide.

Springer, a top 20 overall player in last year’s class, is averaging 11.7 points per game in his first season with Tennessee. He’s shooting 70 percent from three-point range in this young season, and losing him for any amount of time would be a significant blow for the Volunteers.

We saw Davonte Gaines enter the game in his place after the injury. However, it was Victor Bailey, Santiago Vescovi, Josiah-Jordan James and Keon Johnson handling the bulk of the load from there.

Expect an update from Rick Barnes following the game.

Update: Barnes didn’t have any answers following the game, but a Tennessee spokesman called Springer day-to-day. So, sigh of relief there.