Alabama defensive back Mark Barron has had successful surgery to repair a torn (right) pectoral muscle, but will miss the Crimson Tide's bowl game.
Barron said he suffered the injury during a 28-27 loss to then-No. 2 Auburn in Friday's 75th Iron Bowl.
Alabama coach Nick Saban, who is out of the area on a recruiting trip, acknowledge the surgery in a press release.
"Mark Barron suffered a muscle tear and had successful surgery to repair it," Saban said in an e-mail. "He's already started the rehab process, but he will be out for the bowl game."
Barron led the Tide this season with 75 tackles including three interceptions and two sacks.
Barron said he suffered an injury in the second quarter when Auburn quarterback Cam Newton hit Emory Blake for a 36-yard touchdown pass. Barron tried to swipe at the ball.
"I tore my muscle and I couldn't pick my arm up," Barron said Friday. "I couldn't make the tackle. ...I guess when I tried to get the ball out it happened."
Barron said the coaching staff knew he was hurt, but Barron said he wanted to stay in the game. Later, he was in position to make a tackle on Auburn's Terrell Zachary but could not allowing the Zachary to run to take a 70-yard reception to the end zone.
Barron, a former St. Paul's star, is expected to explore a potential early jump to the NFL. It's unclear how this injury or recovery, which is expected to take several month, will affect the decision.
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