Alabama star Minkah Fitzpatrick visited hospital for injury

An injury during Alabama's victory against Clemson in the College Football Playoff semifinal forced Minkah Fitzpatrick to visit the hospital after the game, the Alabama defensive back said on Saturday.

Fitzpatrick reportedly bruised a kidney during the Sugar Bowl, but Alabama's star defender wouldn't confirm the injury during Alabama's national championship media day at Philips Arena. The Jim Thorpe Award winner did say, however, that he suffered an injury during the first quarter against Clemson and played through significant pain the rest of the game. While painful, Fitzpatrick's injury will not hold him out of Monday's national championship against Georgia at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Fitzpatrick said he was "angry" that news leaked on Twitter about his injury.

"There are laws that say you aren't supposed to do that, and I was pretty angry about that, but I'm good," Fitzpatrick said. "I'm good and the team is good, so it's all right."

Fitzpatrick said his injury was caused by diving on the ground and making a tackle.

"I just fell awkward," Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick's injury is his second of the season and the latest incident in an injured-wracked year for the Crimson Tide's defense. Entering the College Football Playoff, eight would-be starters on defense missed a total of 40 games, according to Alabama's sports information department.

Fitzpatrick missed a game earlier in the season with a strained hamstring. He appeared to be completely healthy against Clemson, and played nickelback most of the game against Clemson slot receiver Hunter Renfroe. Fitzpatrick shut down Renfroe, who was Clemson's preferred receiving option on third down throughout the season.

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