Triage Time: Will Carroll Squared
August 28th, 2009 by Will Carroll
Intro by John Huss: Is it just me or is this College Football season taking soooo long to get here? It’s almost like they pushed the first kickoff back to September 3rd or something…
With the season coming to us at a snail’s pace, it also means it’s that time where injuries begin to crop up while teams prepare for their first games. This season, our esteemed injury expert Will Carroll will continue this fantasy college football journey with the man who taught him many things about injuries, modern medicine and appropriate injury treatment. You can almost hear “Will…I am your father” in the background as we introduce Dr. William Carroll. Father and son will work together this year to expand our data on the injury front, bringing to our readers the most extensive resource beyond the headlines on injuries.
This first article will be their introductory joint piece. Although Triage Time tends to focus on the offensive players, the good Doctor did want to practice some preventative medicine by mentioning 5 defensive players. These are players that might have a resonating impact on the entire defense by missing time. Next week, they’ll return to the normal format covering key offensive injuries.
Realize Triage Time isn’t designed to give you injury updates the quickest…its designed to give both Will’s the chance to check with their resources and contacts to determine the extent of the injury. With this info, they are able to develop analysis around the impact that injury will have to your fantasy roster. That said, here are the names:
QB Aaron Corps, USC- Knee Injury
Aaron sustained an injury to the back of his knee when a lineman rolled over his leg in practice. Not small at 6’3” and 200 pounds, Corps was still dwarfed by the size of the lineman involved. Aaron missed about a week of practice which gave Pete Carroll a chance to see more of freshman phenom Matt Barkley. Even with Barkey declared the starter, with Ohio State and Notre Dame as non-conference opponents this year, the Trojans will need all the healthy quarterbacks they can muster.
WR DeAndre Brown, Southern Mississippi- Leg fracture
Brown suffered a compound fracture of the leg in USM’s bowl victory last year. Reports indicate that the leg has healed well and he is moving well. As with any injury of this sort, confidence is the last thing to return, but Brown has looked well in pre-season drills. Look for Brown and QB Austin Davis to be a dangerous combo when combined with the running of Damion Fletcher and leading the Golden Eagles to another bowl game. (photo right, courtesy Icon SMI)
WR Julio Jones. University of Alabama- Ankle Sprain
Jones, one of the most exciting receivers in college football, suffered what appears to be a Grade 2 (moderate) ankle sprain during a recent scrimmage. This injury involving damage to the ligaments on the lateral aspect of the ankle could keep Jones out of practice for up to 10 days and he will need to be protected with a brace upon return. Jones is a pivotal player in Alabama’s pursuit of a national championship and very necessary in the line-up as the prime target for first year starting QB Greg McElroy. Look for Jones to be in the starting line-up and catching passes in the end zone when Bama plays Virginia Tech at the Georgia Dome on September 5th.
WR Duval Kamara, Notre Dame- Knee Injury
Kamara, projected as a key target for QB Jimmy Clausen, injured his knee in practice last week. An MRI revealed a tear in the medial meniscus (cartilage) of the right knee which was subsequently arthroscopically repaired. This is essentially a “clean-up” surgery and Kamara should be game ready within four weeks which should make him available to play against in-state rival Purdue on September 26th.
WR Gerald Jones, Tennessee- High Ankle Sprain
This is a significant injury to the Vols top wide receiver and a severe blow to Lane Kiffin’s offense as he makes the transition from Oakland to the wars of the Southeastern Conference. Jone’s injury involves the two ligaments holding the tibia and fibula together above the ankle joint. The high ankle sprain heals more slowly than the traditional ankle sprain, so look for Jones to miss the UCLA game and be doubtful for the Florida game.
Linebacker Mark Herzlich, Boston College –Cancer
The Eagles have not only lost their best defensive player, but also the ACC Defensive player of the year. Herzlich was diagnosed with bone cancer in his leg and has been undergoing aggressive chemotherapy. The bone cancer tends to make the bone brittle and therefore highly susceptible to fracture. This is more about life than it is about football and serves as a reminder that sometimes our priorities get out of line. Here’s hoping Herzlich makes a full recovery and lives a long and productive life. (photo left, courtesy Icon SMI)
DE Eric Moncur- University of Miami – Groin strain/possible hernia
Moncur missed most of the 2008 season after suffering a tear in an abdominal muscle that had to be surgically repaired last December. Moncur has a history of sports hernia and his current symptoms sound ominously like history could be repeating itself. Look for a significant amount of lost time by Moncur on a defensive line that was never deep in the beginning.
Free Safety Jacky Candy, Houston Cougars –Knee
Candy will miss the entire season after tearing his ACL in a non-contact drill during practice and will apply for a medical redshirt which would grant him another year of eligibility. That doesn’t help the Cougars and with Conference USA’s strength this year, Houston will be hard pressed to compete with a weakened defense.
Cornerback Miami Thomas, University of Illinois –ACL Sprain
Miami Thomas knows all about the post-surgical rehabilitation he will have to do with his left knee this year because he missed all of the 2008 season rehabilitating a ACL tear in his right knee. Thomas will undoubtably be granted a medical redshirt and hopefully 2010 can be spent on the field instead of in the athletic training room.
Safety Dorian Monroe, Florida Gators- Knee Injury
Monroe, a senior safety on one of the best pass defense teams in the country, tore a meniscus (cartilage) in his knee in practice. It has been arthroscopically repaired, but Monroe could miss up to four weeks before he will be game ready. Monroe was having a great pre-season after returning from an ACL sprain which kept him out the entirety of 2008.
Linebacker Austin Spitler, The Ohio State University – Gastrocnemius strain
Spitler, a stalwart of a potentially very good Buckeye defense, suffered a strain of the gastocnemius (calf) in practice last week. This muscle is a slow healer and its functions to plantarflex the foot and help flex the knee are of utmost importance to a linebacker. With rest and care, Spitler will be doubtful for the big game against USC on Sept 12, but should be ready for the start of the Big 10 season against Illinois on September 26.
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