Triage Time: Cutting to the Chase
September 18th, 2009 by Will Carroll
This year, there seems to be an even larger number of injuries occurring to top players. Since thats the case, how about we skip all the small talk and cut to the chase?
1. Wide Receiver Julio Jones, Alabama-Bruised Knee
Reports from Tuscaloosa indicate that Jones’ knee injury is just a bruise and not serious. However, Alabama’s next game is a walk-over against the Mean Green of North Texas, so Nick Saban may choose to give Jone’s an extra week of recovery since the outcome of this game will never be in doubt. Jones should recover fully and continue as the most dangerous wide receiver in the Southeastern Conference. Since Jones is primarily a speed receiver, the knee will not bother him as much as it would a slower receiver who depends on quick cuts to get open.
2. Wide Receiver Michael Floyd, Notre Dame-Leg
Floyd, potentially one of the top wide receivers in the country, left the field in the fourth quarter with an undetermined leg injury which does not appear serious enough to keep him out of the next game against Michigan State. After last week’s disaster against Michigan, Floyd will definitely be needed to prevent Notre Dame from going 0 for the state of Michigan. Look for Floyd to speed full straight ahead, but difficulty in making quick directional changes.
3. Running Back Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State -Leg
Hunter is listed as doubtful after having to be helped from the field during the Cowboy’s loss to Houston. Fortunately, Rice should be an easier game and Oklahoma has some experienced back-ups for Hunter who can help carry them over the Owls. With Grambling the opponent the following week, Hunter can be rested and ready for the Big 12 opener against Texas A&M the following week.
4. Running Back Vondrell McGee, Texas- Ankle
McGee suffered a minor ankle sprain against Wyoming, but treatments from the Longhorn athletic training staff will have him ready for the Big 12 opener this week against Texas Tech’s Red Raiders. Look for the ankle to be securely taped which may hamper Vondrell in making the cuts necessary for a running back of his caliber.
5. WR/ RB Dexter McCluster, Ole Miss–Flu
McCluster has recovered from his bout with the flu and returned to practice. All indications are that he will be available for the Rebels next game against Southeast Louisiana. Since McCluster is a multi-purpose player, he is going to be very important to the Rebels when the SEC season begins the following week. This has been a rough flu season for football players, so Dexter may need an extra breather or two during the next few games until his body is back at full strength.
6. QB Matt Barkley, USC-Shoulder
Barkley played through the shoulder contusion and led the Trojans to victory against Ohio State in a thriller. This freshman phenom should be ready to go this week against Washington, a team that has historically caused the Trojan’s trouble. Look for Barkley to have another great game behind the outstanding Trojan’s offensive line.
7. Running Back Matt Asiata, Utah-Shoulder
Asiata, the Utes leading rusher, is listed as doubtful for this week’s ESPN game against Oregon and will be sorely missed if unavailable-the Utes are not deep in running backs. Hopefully, Asiata will be back in the line-up against Louisville the following week with extra padding to protect the shoulder.
8. Wide Receiver Detron Lewis, Texas Tech-Leg
Lewis is listed as questionable for this week’s contest against the Texas Longhorns. With ten catches already in just two games this year, the Red Raisers pass first offense will need him in the line-up as soon as possible. If he is unable to play this week, he should be able to return the following week and again be a favorite target of QB Taylor Potts.
9. Running Back Eugene Jarvis, Kent State-Kidney injury
Jarvis suffered a kidney injury in last week’s game and spent several days in the hospital. He is expected to make a full recovery in 6-8 weeks, but his season with the Golden Flashes has come to an end. Junior Andre Flowers will bring minimal experience as he steps in as Jarvis’ replacement.
10. Running Back Curtis Steele, Memphis-Knee
Steele, one of the top running backs in Conference USA suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in last week’s game and will miss approximately three weeks while it heals and is rehabilitated. This ligament tends to heal well, but Steele may still need a brace when he returns which could hamper some of his lateral movement.
11. Wide Receiver Mark Dell, Michigan State-Shoulder
Dell was Michigan State’s leading returning receiver, but has yet to play a game this year because of a shoulder injury that has been slow to heal. B.J. Cunningham has done a good job as Dell’s replacement, but after last week’s embarrassing loss to Central Michigan, the Spartans are going to need all hands on deck if they hope to compete in the Big 10.
12. RB Phillip Tanner, Middle Tennessee State–Knee
The Blue Raiders beat Memphis, but that win may be expensive as Tanner, their leading returning rusher, may be out for the better part of the season with a sprained knee. If he returns this year, it will most likely not be for at least four weeks, which would put the Blue Raiders in the middle of their SunBelt schedule.
13. RB Kordell Young, Rutgers-Knee
Last year’s leading rusher has yet to play a down this season for the Scarlet Knights as his knee injury has been very slow to rehabilitate. Young is listed as questionable this week and probably the same for the following week. If the knee still fails to come around, Young may be a candidate for a medical redshirt.
14. QB Omar Clayton, UNLV–Knee
Clayton is the bright spot of this week’s knee sprains. Although he had to leave the game last week, he is already back at practice and expected to be in the starting line-up this week against Hawaii. Keep your eye on the way Clayton plants his back leg while throwing to indicate that he is fully recovered.
Dr. William Carroll is the Director of Athletic Training Education and a Professor at the University of Mobile. His experience in professional and college athletic sports medicine goes back 40 years, which means he started when he was nine. Will Carroll, his son, has actually been doing this since birth, which gives him almost as much experience. ‘The Carroll Guide to Sports Injuries’ will be published in October.
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