RB Jahvid Best, California– “Body Contusion”

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.

RB John Clay, Wisconsin–Concussion

Clay suffered a concussion last week in the Indiana game and is listed as “ probable” for this week’s game against Michigan.  This would seem to be a too early return after that injury.  The old adage about “having your bell rung” is misleading-all concussions are injuries to the brain and should be treated with caution.  I’m sure the Badger medical staff in monitoring Clay closely and I am sure his 100+ per game rushing would be missed against the Wolverines, but I am suspicious about his ability to return in such a short period of time without risking further injury.  If Clay does play this week, look for a big drop off in his statistics.

QB Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State–Toe

Robinson has been dealing with Turf Toe for two weeks now.  Much like Jimmy Clausen of Notre Dame, Robinson will be able to perform this week, but will lose some mobility and experience some pain when planting the injured foot.  Turf toe is a condition wherein the joint capsule at the base of the great toe is torn either as a result of hyperextension or hyperflexion.  The toe can be taped in a neutral position (neither extended or flexed) and often a stiffer insole is placed in the shoe to provide some support.  Since Robinson is much more of a passer than a runner this season, he should not suffer much drop off in his performance this week against Texas Tech.

WR Damian Williams, Southern Cal–Ankle

It has been a rough injury year for the Trojans.  Williams suffered a syndesmosis sprain (high ankle sprain) and will definitely miss this week’s game against Stanford and possibly more.  The high ankle sprain produces more swelling than the garden variety inversion or eversion ankle sprain and therefore Williams has experienced more range of motion loss which must be recovered to progress in the injury treatment process.  At this point, Williams is out for the Stanford game, questionable for UCLA and probable for the Arizona game.

RB Dexter McCluster, Ole Miss–Leg

McCluster sat out last week’s laugher against Northern Arizona and should be ready to once again display his running skills this week against Monte Kiffin’s Tennessee defense.

McCluster is fairly small in stature and is a hard runner, so it is foreseeable that his body is going to take some wear and tear damage in the course of a tough SEC season.  It was a smart move to give him last week to heal and you can expect him to be the heart of the Rebel offense this week against the Vols.

RB Harvey Unga, BYU–Ankle

Unga suffered a Grade 1 (mild) ankle sprain last week, which should not hamper him this week against New Mexico.  This is an injury that can be protected by securely taping or bracing the ankle.  Unga may experience a little pain when changing directions quickly, but it should not hamper his performance, so you can look for Unger to be a big producer for the Cougars this week.

QB Rusty Smith, Florida Atlantic–Shoulder

Smith suffered an A-C sprain (like Sam Bradford) of his non-throwing shoulder against Middle Tennessee and is out for the rest of the season.  The acromioclavicular joint is the connection between the clavicle (collarbone) and the scapula (shoulder blade).  The A-C ligament is what holds this joint securely together.  Smith’s injury was a Grade 2+ producing significant pain and loss of function.  Smith was having a good senior campaign and this is a tough way for him to end his college career and his talents will sorely be missed by the Owls for the remainder of the season.

QB Ricky Stanzi, Iowa–Ankle

Stanzi suffered a Grade 2+ ankle sprain in last week’s game against Northwestern and has been pronounced “out until the Bowl game”.  A grade 2+ ankle sprain will exhibit significant swelling, which limits range of motion of the ankle, which slows the treatment and rehabilitation process.  The Iowa medical staff will do a good job treating the injury, but will not release him until they are sure he is ready.  In the meantime, Iowa will have to line up against Ohio State this week in the Horseshoe with an untested quarterback – never a good situation.

RB Armando Allen, Notre Dame–Ankle

Allen has had almost two weeks of rest and treatment on his injured ankle and should be ready to return to this week’s “Charlie Weis Job Bowl” against Pittsburgh.  The Notre Dame medical staff has done a good job getting Allen’s injured ankle back to nearly 100%, so he should be a definite upgrade in the Irish’s running game which will need to be good to make up for the banged-up Jimmy Clausen who seems to be held together with baling wire at this point with turf toe and now a bruised hand to deal with.

WR  AJ Green, Georgia–Pulmonary Contusion

Green sat out last week and has been pronounced ready to play by the Georgia medical staff for this week’s game at home against Auburn.  The Georgia medical staff is one of the best in the country and they would not allow Green to return unless they thought he was fully recovered from the contusion to his lung.  Georgia will need all they have and Green is by far the best they have against the Tigers this week and against in state rival Georgia Tech the following week.  Two wins at this point could somewhat salvage a very disappointing Georgia season in the eyes of many Bulldog alumni.  Look for the very talented Green to be at full speed and Georgia’s primary hope of coming away with a victory.

RB Larry Caper, Michigan State–Concussion

Caper is still listed as questionable for the Purdue game after suffering a concussion two weeks ago.  A concussion is an injury that should not be rushed because it involves injury to the brain.  Caper has not practiced during the early part of this week, so he is probably closer to doubtful than questionable for this week’s game at this point.  There is no doubt that Caper wants to play, but it is up to the medical staff to decide when it is safe for him to play.  Michigan State needs a win in one of their last two games to become Bowl eligible, so hopefully Caper will be ready to return full go against Penn State next week.

RB Shaun Draughns, North Carolina–Shoulder

North Carolina’s leading rusher is out for the year with a fractured scapula (shoulder blade).  While this is an injury that tends to heal well, it doesn’t heal for at least six to eight weeks.  With North Carolina already Bowl eligible, there is a remote chance (depending on the date of the Bowl they are invited to) that Draugns could return for a bowl game.

RB Darius Willis, Indiana–Leg

Willis has suffered from a multitude of wear and tear injuries this season, mostly to his legs.  Because of this, he has lost some speed and ability to make quick change of direction moves while carrying the ball.   With two games left and no Bowl possibility, Indiana has chosen to allow Willis to play in a support role where his blocking abilities will be an asset to Brian Payton, who has assumed most of Willis’ running duties.  If Willis had the chance to rest earlier in the season, things might have been different, but that was not the chosen course.  Look for Willis to give it everything he has in a support role, but don’t look for any major statistics to be forthcoming.

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Tags: Injuries, Triage Time