Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron arrived in Atlanta on Friday wearing a walking boot on his right foot. A Twitter photo of the senior Heisman Trophy contender walking through a lobby with the boot sent media and fans into a frenzy.
On Saturday morning, Alabama officials confirmed that McCarron had received “treatment” for an ingrown toenail but would play in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic at the Georgia Dome on Saturday evening. According to officials in the athletics department, McCarron wore the boot Friday because his street shoes hurt his foot.
But according to Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban, “his cleats do not (hurt him).”
As much as the Tide coach and staff are working to downplay the incident, an ingrown toenail, while not a serious injury, can be very painful.
Athletes are especially susceptible to the condition as sweat and pounding from running cause the tissue around the toenail to become tender and inflamed. This inflammation can lead to infection, which requires having the toenail removed -- a painful procedure that often leaves patients unable to run for several days.
The specific treatment McCarron received has not been confirmed, but any toe on his right foot would be particularly troublesome given that he is right-handed and must plant and push off his right foot during his throwing motion.
Alabama, ranked No. 1 in the nation, takes the field against Virginia Tech at 5:30 p.m. ET.
The two-time defending national champions are heavily favored to win.
