Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is a bona fide NFL prospect. Some of his future colleagues don't want him jeopardizing that pro career by playing injured in the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday night.
Patrick Mahomes, Darius Leonard and other NFL players made their concerns known on Twitter as they watched Waddle limp back into the Crimson Tide lineup 2 1/2 months after suffering an ankle fracture and sprain against Tennessee on Oct. 24. Alabama coach Nick Saban said at the time that Waddle was out for the year.
MORE: Jaylen Waddle injury timeline
Waddle returned to practice on Jan. 6 after working out before Alabama's College Football Playoff semifinal game against Notre Dame on Jan. 1.
The NFL guys watching him compete against the Buckeyes were forceful in their opposition:
Cmon nick don’t let Waddle do this, he’s hurt and shouldn’t be out there! Cmon bro! Sometimes you gotta protect players from themselves!
— Darius Leonard (@dsleon45) January 12, 2021
Respect the heart! But you can’t let that man be out there! https://t.co/QqaXYQ1EEX
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) January 12, 2021
Waddle future so bright . They gone win . Just chill lil homie.
— AJ Brown (@Brown1arthur) January 12, 2021
Keep waddle out of the game... I know you love the game brotha but you not playing tonight is best for your future
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) January 12, 2021
Waddle making me nervous🥴 they needa take him out
— Darius Slayton (@Young_Slay2) January 12, 2021
SN's Vinnie Iyer, in his latest NFL Mock Draft, has Waddle going 15th overall to the Patriots, eight spots ahead of Heisman Trophy teammate DeVonta Smith.