First, a word about “Quick Healers”…

It has been reported by various sources that Wide Receivers Mike Floyd of Notre Dame and Ryan Broyles of Oklahoma may be “returning to action sooner than anticipated”.  Broyles was allegedly diagnosed with a “shoulder fracture” two weeks ago.  If there was in fact a fracture, there is no way in medical science for it to heal in fourteen days (fractures typically take 6-8 weeks to heal).  Since Broles is a wide receiver, his shoulder cannot be sufficiently braced or splinted without taking away his ability to raise his arms above his shoulders-an action extremely necessary for a wide receiver.  Although there has been some experimentation utilizing hyperbaric chambers to hasten bone union (primarily in professional ice hockey), two weeks is just not enough time for a fractured bone to heal.  If the original diagnosis was correct, I would expect Broles to miss a minimum of another month before being cleared to return to activity.

Floyd fractured his clavicle (collarbone) on September 19 and his anticipated “early return date” is November 14^th against Pittsburgh.  That is very close to the eight week healing parameter, so the healing has been relatively normal in terms of time.  Also, since Floyd’s fracture was of the clavicle, it is easier to brace without limiting overhead (above shoulder level) activity.

Medical science, in general, and Sports medicine in particular, has made amazing strides in the last few years.  Still, the body has its own clock when it comes to healing time and that is something that should be respected to get the best possible result post-injury. Now moving on…

Running Back Andre Anderson, Tulane – Shoulder

Anderson, one of the leading rushers in Conference USA, had to leave last week’s game with a minor shoulder injury which was allegedly diagnosed as a mild (Grade 1) A-C  sprain (sprain of the ligament that attaches the clavicle to the scapula).  With all the new technology in protective equipment such as compression shirts (with built-in padding in the shoulder area to be worn under the shoulder pads) Anderson should be available this week against Houston with virtually no limitations.

Running Back Tre Newton, Texas – Concussion

Newton suffered a concussion in last week’s game and is very questionable for this week’s game against Oklahoma.  Tim Tebow  of Florida returned last week two weeks post-concussion with mixed results.  Newton, with one less week to recover, probably will not be cleared by the Texas medical staff because of the risk of post concussion syndrome, a complex disorder in which a combination of post-concussion symptoms — such as headaches and dizziness —that can last for weeks and sometimes months after the injury that caused the concussion.

Running Back Vondrell McGee, Texas – Shoulder

As if the loss of RB Newton wasn’t enough to stress Texas’ depth chart; McGee, the primary back-up at RB, suffered a shoulder injury (A-C sprain) in the same game.  McGee’s status for the Oklahoma game is at best doubtful and, if he does play, he will be limited in his ability to raise his arm above shoulder level or reach across his body; two motions necessary for catching passes out of the backfield.  With one running back out and another questionable, look for the Sooners to put a lot of pressure on Texas QB Colt McCoy, who may have to carry the offense with his talented arm.

Running Back Roy Helu, Nebraska – Shoulder

Helu, the Husker’s primary running threat suffered a minor shoulder injury which has been described as a contusion (bruise) in last week’s game against Missouri.  All indications are that the Nebraska athletic training staff will have Helu’s shoulder sufficiently treated and padded so that he will be ready for the Texas Tech game with no limitations.

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert, Missouri – Ankle

Gabbert suffered a Grade 2 (moderate) ankle sprain in last week’s game against Nebraska.  It is an inversion sprain which effects the ligaments on the lateral aspect of the ankle.  With the ankle securely taped by the athletic training staff, Gabbert will be able to play this week against Oklahoma State.  Since the injury is to his right ankle and that is his plant foot when passing, he may not be able to set himself as well as he could pre-injury.

Running Back Daniel Thomas, Kansas State – Knee

Thomas, Kansas State’s leading rusher, suffered a mild (Grade 1) injury to his MCL (ligament on the medial aspect of the knee) and is doubtful for this week’s game against the Aggies of Texas A&M.  Since this ligament provides the primary medial support for the knee, movements such as changing directions rapidly would cause further stress on this already damaged structure.  Look for Thomas to be held out this week and possibly return the following week with a brace to help support the injured knee.

Running Back Micheal Smith, Arkansas – Hamstring

Smith injured (strained) his hamstring while running on a rain-soaked field during last week’s win over Auburn.  Smith has been the Razorback’s most consistent running back. His presence would be very welcome this week against Florida to keep the Gator defensive linemen honest, so they would not be in automatic attack mode against QB Ryan Mallett.  Hamstring strains can vary from mild to severe and are location dependent for healing purposes.  If the strain is in the middle (belly) of the muscle, it tends to heal faster than if it were at the origin (hip area) or insertion (knee area).  The best guess on Smith is that he will be available for limited duty against the Gators.

Wide Receiver Jarius Wright, Arkansas - Concussion

Wright, an important cog in the Razorback’s deep passing offense, suffered a concussion during the first quarter of last week’s game against Auburn.  As stated in these articles previously, a concussion is a brain injury and not one to be rushed back into activity.  It is highly doubtful that the Arkansas medical team will clear Wright to return to activity until at least the 24^th.

Wide Receiver Joe Adams, Arkansas – Stroke

Young, healthy athletes are not supposed to suffer strokes. A stroke by definition is an interruption of blood supply to any part of the brain.

Until such time as the Arkansas medical staff can determine the cause of the stroke (blood clot, etc.), Adams will be held out of activity.  It will be very unlikely for Adams to return to play for the remainder of the season.

Quarterback Gregg Alexander, Hawaii – Knee

Alexander’s season is over and his next destination is the operating room for reconstructive surgery for his knee.  Alexander suffered sprains of the anterior cruciate ligament (provides anterior stability), the MCL (provides medial stability) and possibly a tear of the medial meniscus (cartilage that provides shock absorption and some rotatory stability).  Since he is a senior and has played too much this year to qualify for a medical redshirt, it is safe to say that Alexander’s career with the Rainbow Warriors is over.

Running Back Darius Willis, Indiana- Ankle

Willis suffered a 2^nd degree (moderate) ankle sprain against Ohio State two weeks ago and has been out since.  His status for the Illinois game this week will be limited at best.  This type of injury can limit the ability to rapidly change directions and to push off with the foot without experiencing pain.  Neither of these limitations would make for a very good outing for this outstanding redshirt freshman running back.  Look for his contributions to be limited if he plays at all.

Running Back Larry Caper, Michigan State- Knee

Caper suffered a significant contusion to his knee when he was struck by a helmet during last week’s game against Illinois.  While these injuries can be very painful, they are also very treatable.  Look for the Spartans athletic training staff to have Caper ready to play in the Northwestern game this week with no limitations.

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.

Related posts:

1. Triage Time: Running Men
2. Triage Time: You say Hip Pointer, I say Contusion of the Iliac Crest-prominent Bone
3. Triage Time: Cutting to the Chase
4. Triage Time: Top Picks are a Falling…
5. Triage Time: Knee to the Groin

Tags: injury