Triage Time: Running Men
October 7th, 2009 by Will Carroll
Quarterback Austin Davis, Southern Miss-Fracture/Dislocation foot
Davis suffered a Lisfranc fracture of his foot during the Golden Eagles loss to UAB. A Lisfranc fracture is a fracture and dislocation of the joints in the mid-foot, usually involving the metatarsals that form the transverse arch of the foot. This fracture usually occurs when the foot is plantarflexed and someone lands on the heel. Healing time is 6-8 weeks and that means the Southern Miss will have to get a Bowl bid if Davis is to see any further action this season. Talented, but inexperienced Martevious Young will be called upon to be the offensive field general.
Wide Receiver Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma-Shoulder Fracture
Just as the Sooners are preparing to get their Heisman quarterback Sam Bradford back in the line-up, they lose their leading receiver, Broyles, for 6-8 weeks with a fracture in the shoulder. This injury should heal well and Broyles should be able to return to the outstanding form he has displayed this year. The big question is probably whether the Sooners, with two losses already, will be able to grab a BCS Bowl berth.
Wide Receiver Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State-Hamstring
With almost three weeks of rest on his strained hamstring, Bryant would have been more than ready to return to the starting line-up for the Cowboys this week against Texas A&M.
Hamstrings are accelerations muscles, so if Bryant had any problem, it would’ve been in rapidly gaining speed as he left the line of scrimmage. If he could of cleared the pressuring safety, he might have attained nearly all of his pre-injury speed and lived up to his pre-season billing as one of the top receivers in the country, but unfortunately…
Running Back Daniel Herron, Ohio State-Sprained Ankle
Herron got the week off against Indiana, but his touchdown scoring skills will definitely be needed against a tough Wisconsin team this week. Herron’s ankle will be securely taped and he should have no problem whatsoever with running straight with speed. End runs and sudden, quick cuts could be troublesome at first until Herron gains full confidence in his rehabilitated ankle.
Running Back LaMichael James, Oregon-Ankle Sprain
James had the first multi-touchdown game of his career last week, but suffered an ankle sprain that will probably keep him out of this week’s contest against UCLA. There are three primary ligaments on the outside of the ankle that connect the bones of the talus, fibula and calcaneous. Damage to any one of these ligaments constitutes an inversion ankle sprain, which is not only painful, but swells and limits motion, and limits function of the ankle joint. Depending on the degree (severity) of the sprain, rehabilitation can take from one to three weeks and require secure taping upon his return to football activities.
Quarterback Taylor Potts, Texas Tech-Concussion
Potts suffered a concussion in the Red Raiders victory over New Mexico last week and spent the night in the hospital. A concussion is a contusion (bruise) of the brain and the aftereffects can range from a headache to interrupted electrical activity in the brain itself. It is not unusual for the athlete to experience some confusion and short-term memory loss. I look for the Texas Tech medical staff to be very conservative with this injury and not clear Potts for return to activity until he has a normal EEG (electroencephalogram) and is symptom free. Potts will be withheld from this week’s game with Kansas State and could possibly return the following week against Nebraska.
Running Back Matt Asiata, Utah-Knee
Barring the granting of a medical redshirt, Asiata’s football career at Utah is finished and he will have reconstructive surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This injury usually occurs when the athlete’s foot is securely planted and he tries to change directions quickly (make a cut). Since the planted foot does not move, all the stress is placed on the knee and the ACL, which prevents anterior translation of the tibia on the femur, reaches its yield point and tears.
Running Back Jake Sharp, Kansas-Calf
Sharp has had almost four weeks to recover from the calf (gastrocnemious) strain suffered during the second week of the season. This muscle is a plantarflexor and is involved in push-off and acceleration. With four weeks of treatment and rehabilitation, look for Sharp to be at full strength, full speed and unlimited upon his return this week when the Jayhawks take on Iowa State.
Running Back Alexander Robinson, Iowa State-Groin
Robinson has already injured his groin twice this season, which is not a good sign. When a muscle strains, it heals by the formation of scar tissue which is only about 70% as strong as the tissue it replaces. The more scar tissue in a muscle, the weaker and more susceptible to injury the muscle will be. Robinson is allegedly “probable” for this week’s contest against Kansas, but his effectiveness will be questionable as he will need to have the groin wrapped or braced- which could limit his mobility.
Running Back Jay Finley, Baylor-Ankle
Finley has missed three weeks with an ankle injury. If his rehabilitation is anywhere near complete, his presence certainly would be welcomed by the Bears, who have already lost Quarterback Robert Griffin for the season. Oklahoma is the opponent this week and Baylor will need all available weapons to keep this one close. If Finley does play, his ankle will be securely taped which could limit his mobility somewhat.
Wide Receiver McKay Jacobson, BYU-Hamstring
Jacobson has suffered a severe hamstring strain and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks of action. The hamstring (large muscles in the back of the thigh) usually tear at the insertion (up by the hip), the belly (central aspect) or the insertion (at the knee). Origin and insertion strains are usually the most disabling and result in the greatest amount of lost time. Jacobson is a speed receiver, so the Cougars will make sure the hamstring is fully healed before clearing this big play receiver (almost 25 yards per catch) to return to football activities.
Quick Notes: Tebow and Bradford
Tebow has been monitored closely by the Florida medical staff and benefited by the off-week in the schedule. Expect Tebow to be in the starting line-up when the Gators travel this weekend to LSU to do battle with the Bayou Bengals.
Bradford- Bradford suffered a grade 3 AC sprain (shoulder separation) during Oklahoma’s week 1 loss to BYU. Five weeks later, he has still not returned to practice. Some of this is about conservative treatment and some of it may have to do with Badford’s concern for his professional future. Bradford is not needed this week against Baylor, but it would be good for him to at least get some game snaps before next week’s showdown against #1 Texas in the Red River Shootout.
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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