Triage Time: Knee to the Groin
October 2nd, 2009 by Will Carroll
Quarterback Tim Tebow, University of Florida –Concussion
The leader in the Heisman race had a tough week that started out with the flu and ended up with a concussion suffered in the second half of the game against Kentucky. Fortunately, the flu symptoms have now dissipated and the concussion symptoms will have an extra week to disappear because the Gators have an off week in their schedule this week. Remember, a concussion is an injury to the brain and he is monitored closely- he passed an EEG test before leaving the hospital on Monday. Look for a healthy Tim Tebow on the field leading the Gators against LSU on October 10. Florida’s medical staff has taken excellent care of Tebow and the extra time will assure that all symptoms from the concussion are gone, so expect no memory lapses or forgotten pass patterns from Superman.
Running Back Stafon Johnson, USC- Throat/Trachea
Johnson, USC’s leading rusher last season, suffered a weight room injury when a barbell he was bench pressing fell on his neck, causing serious enough injury for an emergency tracheotomy to be performed so he could breathe. This is one of those injuries that shouldn’t have happened with all the safety measures employed in most weight rooms- yet it did. Johnson is lucky to be alive, but it appears that his USC senior’s football career has ended. USC still has Joe McKnight and some adequate back-up running backs, but none with Johnson’s experience.
Running Back Nick Grigsby, Arizona – Shoulder
Arizona’s leading rusher suffered an AC sprain to his right shoulder against Oregon State and has not yet returned to practice. The A-C joint sits on top of the shoulder and basically connects the clavicle and the scapula. Until this sprain heals sufficiently, it can obviously cause pain on contact. It can also effect Grigsby’s pass catching ability (which already was a limited skill) as raising the arms above the shoulder or reaching across the body with the right arm (as in catching a pass over his left shoulder) will also result in pain. The off-week in the schedule will help and the injury site can be padded to protect it, but Grigsby is still questionable for the Wildcat’s October 10 game against a dangerous Washington team.
Quarterback Robert Griffin, Baylor –Knee
As if the Bears don’t have enough problems with their tough Big 12 schedule, now they will have to face it without sophomore sensation Griffin, who tore his ACL (the ligament in the knee that prevents the knee from hyperextending) and is out for the season. Griffin will have reconstructive surgery and could be ready for non-contact duty during spring practice, but do not look for a full recovery until August. Griffin will spend his post-surgical time in a supervised weight training program designed to strengthen the quadriceps, which are the secondary stabilizers of the knee. Griffin may lose some speed as a result of his injury, but he should be otherwise the same outstanding player when he returns for his Junior season.
Quarterback Tate Forcier, Michigan – Shoulder
QB Tate Forcier (thanks Icon SMI)
Forcier continued to play in the win over Indiana last week, leading the Wolverines to a win even after suffering an injury to his right shoulder. The injury is thought to be a contusion and not structural damage. It is expected that he will be in the line-up against Michigan State this Saturday. The injury should not hamper Forcier’s ability, but the Wolverine medical staff will be monitoring him closely to make sure he does not suffer any further injury to the shoulder.
Running Back Vai Taua, Nevada – Elbow
Nevada (0-3) will head into the meat of their WAC schedule without their 1st team all-conference running back, who suffered a dislocated elbow. It is expected that Taua will miss at least six weeks as a result of the injury. When he does return, he will have to wear a brace on the elbow which could limit both his ball carrying and pass catching abilities. It will take Taua some time to get used to the brace, so don’t expect a lot from him in terms of production this season.
Quarterback Sam Bradford, Oklahoma – Shoulder
Bradford has missed three weeks as a result of an A-C Sprain suffered in week 1’s loss to Brigham Young. With the Big 12 season just two weeks away and Miami on tap for this week, I thought Coach Stoops would get Bradford some playing time against Miami. This would have gotten him warmed up for the conference schedule and with a Heisman repeat probably unattainable, Bradford may actually have played better because of the pressure being lifted. The AC sprain should be fairly healed at this point and I am sure that the athletic training staff is satisfied with Bradford’s pain-free range of motion and strength in the injured shoulder or Sam wouldn’t even be considered to return this week. However, it looks like Bradford will sit this Saturday. When he does return, it is doubtful that he will be airing out many 40 yard plus passes until he regains full confidence in the injured shoulder.
Running Back Damion Fletcher, Southern Mississippi – Groin Strain
Fletcher was just recovering from a hamstring strain when he suffered, what is described as, a mild groin strain in the game against Kansas last week. It is possible that the recurring hamstring problems have caused Fletcher to alter his running gait and this may have put more stress on the adductor muscles (groin). With a Thursday game against hapless UAB, look for Fletcher to get plenty of rest on the sidelines and then use the next ten days to recuperate before the Golden Eagles face Louisville. The USM medical staff is going to have its hands full this season keeping Fletcher on the field (where he is sorely needed so opponents cannot key on Austin Davis’ passing) because of the lingering leg muscle issues.
Wide Receiver Deandre Brown, Southern Mississippi –Shoulder
Deandre Brown has spent more time in this column than on the field for the Golden Eagles this year which has given rise to speculation that he is injury prone. This is not truly the case. He suffered a significant leg fracture in last year’s bowl game and last week suffered a mild A-C sprain in the game against Kansas. Football is a collision sport and injuries happen. A wide receiver, to be successful, has to focus on the ball and not the defender and this can result in some hard falls to the turf. Usually the body will give before the turf does, and an injury ensues. Look for Brown, who together with Austin Davis will rewrite all of the school’s receiving and passing records before they leave Hattiesburg in a little over two years from now, to be withheld from the UAB game and be full-go the following week against Louisvile.
Running Back D J Harper, Boise State - Knee
The Bronco’s primary ball carrier suffered a torn ACL in his left knee last week against Fresno State. He will have reconstructive surgery this week meaning that his season is over. Recovery time from the date of surgery to return to full football activity can range from 8-12 months, during which Harper will spend the majority of his time in the athletic training room doing rehabilitation on the post-surgical knee. It is not unusual to see a minor loss in speed following this surgery and the last thing to return to normal is the athlete’s confidence in the surgically repaired knee. Look for Harper to miss Spring practice (at least the contact part) and be eased back into his starting role during preseason practices next August.
Wide Receiver Markques Simas, Colorado – Knee
It has not been a banner year for either Simas or the Buffaloes. First Simas had to deal with a suspension and then, upon his return against Wyoming, he reaggravated a minor injury to his knee. He made the trip to Morgantown for the Thursday game versus West Virginia. The coaching staff needs to find out if Simas’ body can stand up to the pounding it will take as the Big 12 schedule begins. Look for Simas to be comfortable running straight ahead, but have difficulty running wide or making open field changes of direction. Take a look at how his game went Thursday against WVU…only time will tell when he becomes a factor in this offense.
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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