Days away from its big game against LSU, Alabama feels very good about the status of its star quarterback.

The expectation, according to sources, is Tua Tagovailoa will play against LSU on Saturday and that he’ll likely look healthier and less limited than what most outsiders are probably expecting. Rehab and recovery have gone very well for Tagovailoa, who is now 16 days removed from undergoing surgery to repair the high-ankle sprain he suffered against Tennessee.

Tagovailoa has now taken part in three practices on a limited basis, including Monday when he was on the field for the media viewing period of practice for the first time since sustaining that injury.

Last year, Tagovailoa played against Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl 27 days after the same surgery and was 24 of 27 for 318 yards with four touchdown passes in leading the Tide to a 45-34 win. The recovery has been even quicker this time around, according to sources.

That’s why Alabama is so optimistic regarding Tagovailoa’s status, even though Nick Saban will likely — at least publicly — continue to label his quarterback as a “game-time decision” leading up to Saturday.

“Been pretty consistent on the message with Tua,” Saban said Monday. “If he can play in the game, it’ll be a game-time decision. ... We’ll see where he’s at today and then we’ll manage the reps accordingly. When I say that, we cannot predict. If he goes out there today and he looks good, then his rep count is going to go up and we’ll prepare him as if he’s going to have an opportunity to play in the game. If he has a setback during the week, you can’t really control that, but that would change the plan.”

Matt Zenitz is an Alabama and Auburn reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mzenitz.