Gary Danielson said Friday morning, after watching Tua Tagovailoa practice, that Alabama’s quarterback is “not as nimble” as he had been earlier in the season.

The SEC on CBS analyst watched Alabama’s practice Thursday in preparation for Saturday’s showdown with LSU. On Friday, he joined SiriusXM’s “SEC This Morning” and told host Peter Burns that Tagovailoa isn’t 100 percent.

“I watched him in practice yesterday,” Danielson said. "He isn’t 100 percent. I don’t care what Alabama says. I don’t care what Tua says. I watched him. He doesn’t have that spring in his step. It’s not natural.

"He’s OK. I’d be playing if I was him. I know that, but he’s not the Tua that started the season. He’s not as nimble as before. How do those body blows - or ankle blows - set up the football game in the third and fourth quarters.

“I wonder if anyone’s touched his ankle, let alone hit his ankle the way he’s going to get in this football game.”

Alabama coach Nick Saban has maintained Tagovailoa would be a game-time decision, even though sources have told AL.com the quarterback is expected to start as he recovers from surgery from a high-ankle sprain.

While Tagovailoa will play Saturday, Danielson pointed out to AL.com this week he isn’t the “wildcard."

“In this game, the biggest wild card is LSU comes in with a quarterback, period,” he explained earlier this week. "They all have good players. The biggest difference this time is the tilt of the game is not in favor of Alabama because of that. No one can say it is a dominant position as it has been the past eight straight wins by Alabama. That position has been owned by Alabama.

“This year, if Joe Burrow’s been playing like he’s been playing, it’s a toss-up at that position.”

The health of Tagovailoa also has had an impact on sportsbooks, as one has taken more action on Saturday’s game than any other football game this season.

Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.