Running Back Javid Best, Cal– Body Contusions

Best suffered a multitude of body contusion and a low back strain two weeks ago against Oregon State as a result of being “helicopter spun” as he attempted to hurdle a defender and sat out last weeks game against Arizona.  His status is still listed as questionable even though he did not practice with the team on Monday.  The low back strain is the primary remaining issue because it involves the core of the body that attaches to the lower extremities.  This can obviously be extremely challenging for a speed and power runner like Best.  Just imagine your back aching every time you took a step-then imagine you are running very fast, changing directions often and being hit by large, powerful individuals.  That is basically what Best will have to face if he plays against Stanford this week.  Look for the Cal medical staff to closely evaluate Best on Wednesday and make the determination as to his availability this week.  Best guess for this week is that he will be in uniform on Saturday, but will not start the game, but rather be utilized in a limited role during the first half with the decision made at half time whether he can be more involved in the second half.  I do not look for this to be a big statistics week for Best regardless of his playing time. Read the rest of this entry →

RB Jahvid Best, California– “Body Contusion”

California RB Jahvid Best (thanks Icon SMI)

Jahvid Best made every highlight reel in the country as he tried to hurdle Oregon State defenders.  Unfortunately, he came up a little short and the defenders put him into a helicopter spin that cause him to crash to the ground, landing in an awkward position.  He was taken to the hospital where he was admitted for observation and tests and kept overnight.  CT scans and x-rays were negative and Jahvid was released on Sunday.  He is reported to be “sore all over” and has not returned to classes or practice.  What we know at this time is that he will not play this week against Arizona.  The California medical staff will watch Best closely and basically allow him to tell them when he thinks he can return to practice.  All in all, it has been a good result from a potentially catastrophic event, so whenever Best returns to the Bears, they are ahead of where everyone who witnessed the injury thought the outcome would be. Read the rest of this entry →

WR Vincent Brown, San Diego State – Thumb

Brown (pictured left, thanks Icon SMI) was struck on the end of his thumb with the football while attempting to make a catch against Colorado State last week. There was some initial swelling and Brown was held out of the second half. Since then, x-ray has been negative for fracture, which makes the diagnosis either a strain (muscle or tendon) or a sprain (ligament) dependent upon the structure involved. Reports from San Diego list him at Probable Plus for this week’s game against New Mexico. There may need to be some taping done on the thumb to support it, but Brown will have gotten used to that in practice this week, so expect him to be not only on the field, but also very close to the form that has yielded over 100 yards of receptions per game.

UPDATE: Late Thursday, Brown will go into surgery and miss two weeks minimum. Read the rest of this entry →

Quick update – Dez Bryant decision finally handed down by NCAA – ESPN reports he is out for a calendar year (october to October) meaning next time you see him playing football he will getting paid to do so.

Minnesota WR/CF Eric Decker broke his foot against Ohio State this past weekend and chose to shut it down for the season. He will be getting paid next time you see him, just unsure of which sport.

Also, word is that Syracuse Mike Williams is probable for Cincinnati game after being suspended for team rules violations last weekend. My source says to prepare yourself for William’s plug to be pulled at any time. No comment yet from JohnBoy YaBoy.

Injuries…they stink to high purgatory…and, unfortunately, are part of the game of football.

On Saturday night in Lexington, Kentucky, the college football world watched Florida QB Tim Tebow (photo, thanks IconSMI) take a nasty hit on the back of his head when he hit a teammate’s leg while being sacked by a Wildcat defender.  A few minutes later, the college football world learned what Superman had been eating for the last 24 hours, as he hurled a few times while being carted to a waiting ambulance for transport to a hospital.

As gruesome as this all sounds, it looks like Tebow will be OK, and should be ready to play in two weeks when the Gators visit Death Valley to play LSU.  He should be over the effects of the concussion he suffered at Kentucky.

Meanwhile, another top QB was not as fortunate.

Baylor sophomore phenom Robert Griffin suffered a season-ending ACL injury during the Bears trouncing of Northwestern State (LA).  Although Griffin saw more action in the game after the injury took place, an MRI exposed an ACL tear, putting the dual-threat QB out of action for the rest of 2009.  College football, especially the fantasy element, will miss Griffin….and all wish him a speedy recovery and a return in 2010. Read the rest of this entry →