Ty Simpson Injury Status: Everything to Know About Alabama QB’s Health Before the 2026 NFL Draft
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The Alabama quarterback endured a turbulent final stretch of his collegiate career, one that raised legitimate concerns about his physical condition heading into professional football. Ty Simpson’s late-season struggles weren’t simply about on-field performance.
A medical issue drastically altered his appearance and availability, dropping him from his typical 210 pounds down to 190 by the Rose Bowl. That 20-pound loss sparked speculation across NFL circles about whether Simpson could bounce back in time for the draft process.
Kalen DeBoer says Alabama made the switch at QB from Ty Simpson to Austin Mack when Simpson suffered an injury:
“I know he feels like he let down the team and there’s no way that that’s the case.”
(📹: College Football Playoff) pic.twitter.com/KVrwXd8L7D
— Max Cohan (@MaxCohan) January 2, 2026
What Health Issue Affected Ty Simpson?
According to ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay, Simpson battled gastritis during the latter portion of Alabama’s campaign. The condition caused Simpson’s weight to plummet from his normal 210 pounds to just 190 by the time the Crimson Tide faced off in the Rose Bowl.
Gastritis involves inflammation of the stomach lining, which can severely impact a person’s ability to eat and maintain weight. The diagnosis explained Simpson’s visible physical decline as the season progressed in Alabama.
McShay revealed additional details about Simpson’s recovery during a recent broadcast. At the Senior Bowl, intelligence suggested Simpson remained roughly a week away from being able to throw.
TRENDING: Top-#NFL quarterback prospect Ty Simpson’s college highlights from when he was at Alabama.
Who does he remind you of…?
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) February 15, 2026
Has Ty Simpson Recovered Ahead Of The NFL Draft?
McShay expressed confidence that Simpson would deliver during the combine week despite the health setback. The analyst emphasised that NFL teams care about present-day performance rather than explanations for past struggles.
The central questions facing Simpson revolved around his current weight and arm strength. Teams needed to see whether he had returned to his playing weight of 210 pounds or remained closer to 203. His throwing ability also required demonstration after the gastritis limited his participation at the Senior Bowl.
Simpson’s interview sessions and team meetings represented another critical component. McShay predicted the Alabama quarterback would excel in those environments, calling it an area where Simpson would “crush it” during the evaluation process.
FAQ related to Ty Simpson’s Health and Draft Status
Q1: What exactly is gastritis, and how serious is it?
A: Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining that can cause severe weight loss and difficulty eating. While treatable, it significantly impacted Simpson’s ability to maintain his playing weight during Alabama’s season.
Q2: Did Simpson’s health issues affect his draft stock?
A: His late-season struggles coincided with the gastritis diagnosis, but analysts like Todd McShay still project him as the second quarterback selected.
Q3: What weight should Simpson be at for NFL teams?
A: His normal playing weight is 210 pounds. He dropped to 190 in the Rose Bowl, so teams wanted to see him closer to his typical size during pre-draft evaluations.
Q4: Could Simpson’s illness impact his rookie season?
A: There’s no indication gastritis causes long-term issues once resolved.
Q5: Why does McShay still believe Simpson will go high despite the health concerns?
A: McShay points to Simpson’s exceptional tape through the first nine games of the season, calling it “pure NFL stuff” with elite footwork, anticipation, and pre-snap reads before the illness derailed his campaign.
