Triage Time: To the Point of Throwing Up
September 17th, 2008 by Will Carroll
When John and the FCB crew came to me with the idea for this column, I didn’t realize what an information void there was, how many misdirections there would be, or how ignored injuries were to the winning and losing in college football. It’s more than just the sheer replaceability of most college athletes, but an attitude among college fans that both understands the turnover inherent in the game but doesn’t understand the level of attrition that takes place each week.
While major programs have sports medicine facilities that rival and exceed those in the NFL, it still comes down to a student trainer taping an ankle, an overworked and underpaid assistant trainer working on a QB on the sidelines, and a hundred other little things that factor in to winning and losing football that really have nothing to do with football. Of course, while I often argue that injuries aren’t just a part of the game we have to accept, but something that can be managed, controlled and reduced, we’ll need the college ADs and coaches to get on board with that too. Let’s get to it:
DaRel Scott RB MARYLAND
Scott had a nice day last week, until an awkward tackle injured his left shoulder. Scott’s injury is a strained acromioclavicular joint, with the “strain” portion of that diagnosis indicating muscle or tendon tearing. The injury is not said to be terribly painful, but Scott is at risk of exacerbating the injury if he were to fall on it or take a big hit.
The medical staff is working to find a way to brace him without losing effectiveness, but seem willing to hold him out this week against Eastern Michigan if they feel it’s necessary. Early indications are that Scott will play, but will be limited and that Ralph Friedgen wants to know that Scott isn’t a risky play before putting him out on the field. That makes him a very risky play for you. Davin Meggett could be ready for his closeup.
Jahvid Best RB CALIFORNIA
Holy crap! Did you see the hit that Jahvid Best took?
First, you have to love YouTube for being able to find that and second, thank me for not giving you the version where we learn that Best likes the green Gatorade (ed. note – Vince and John will!). Best was decleated, crawled, and vomited after one of the most violent hits I’ve seen at any level (but clean!). Best has a bruised sternum and ego after that shot, but he should be ready to play. The Cal medical staff will likely fashion some sort of padding over the area, but Best has to hope he never sees another ‘medicine ball’ thrown to him like that.
Eric Kettani RB NAVY
Navy just doesn’t pass, which allows the running game to go three deep with some style. Unfortunately, one of the key parts of the option attack, Eric Kettani, has pulled up with a hamstring strain. Depth just isn’t part of the Navy playbook, so missing Kettani for any period of time is going to put a lot more pressure on the other big names in the offense and maybe, just maybe, the Midshipmen will be forced to join us in the 21st century and pass occasionally. Kettani’s not expected to miss more than a week with the strain, but hamstring injuries for speed guys have a way of lingering.
Kordell Young RB RUTGERS
Last year, I went to a Rutgers game (vs South Florida) and by the second quarter, the Glee Club was taunting us. Ok, maybe they weren’t aiming at me but it was still one of the rudest things I’ve experienced. So forgive me if I still feel a little bitterness about the upstarts from Jersey at times. I wish no ill will at Kordell Young, who’s having soreness in his surgically repaired knee. Greg Schiano insists that there’s no new damage to the knee, only that Young is having “normal soreness”. With Navy and their running attack coming up next, the Knights will need to have as many weapons as possible.
Eugene Jarvis RB KENT STATE
Every week, I get one of these – an injury to an athlete from a mid-level school that makes me say “Really? Kent State?” I mean no disrespect to the MAC or to the fine institution in Ohio, but most people that aren’t alums just don’t pay much attention to these schools and I’m glad, in a way, that I have to. Like basketball, these programs are just as important and deserve our respect. Maybe fantasy can help give it to them. Jarvis sprained his ankle early in Saturday’s game and didn’t return as precaution. He’s expected to be ready to go this weekend, though you should check practice reports to make sure he’s fully healthy later this week. The matchup against Lousiana-Lafayette is one where Jarvis could put up some nice numbers, so expect him to play if at all possible, even limited.
Justin Roper QB OREGON
Someone check the shoes. There’s something about Oregon QBs and knees. Last year it was Dennis Dixon trying to play through a torn ACL. This year, Justin Roper is going to miss a month after spraining his MCL. He won’t need surgery – most surgeons don’t fix the MCL even if ruptured, since the knee has enough secondary support to get along without the MCL – but it is going to affect his lateral mobility, something that is key for QBs. Why? Because they don’t backpedal going back to pass and they don’t face up to throw the ball. I’ve seen far too many people discuss this (and Vince Young’s similar injury) in terms of how it would affect a running back. Roper’s not one, so the effect is different but still significant.
Tyler Graunke QB HAWAII
Graunke caught a break by not having a break. After what looked like a serious thumb/wrist injury, Graunke’s testing showed no fractures, though there is some ligament damage. Graunke hasn’t yet been ruled out of Saturday’s game against San Jose State, but the wrist’s response is the key. Observers described Graunke’s wrist as “swollen” and “heavily bruised” as late as Tuesday, so he’ll have to have a pretty quick response to treatment if he’s going to get back on the field Friday, the earliest the doctors will allow him to take snaps. Greg McMackin is likely to give the start to Inoke Funaki, but it will be a true gametime decision.
Dexton Fields WR KANSAS
I was torn last week. On one hand, you have my adopted team of the USF Bulls and on the other, you have a team led by this guy. The Jayhawks clearly missed Dexton Fields in their loss in Tampa, but they’re not sure they’ll be getting him back any time soon. Reports continue to conflict on what the exact injury is — some say foot, some say ankle, some go big and say leg. Whatever it is, it’s lingering and at best, Fields is questionable for next week. My pal Danni Boatwright will not be happy to hear about this. And yeah, I link because I can.
BJ Cunningham WR MICHIGAN STATE
Cunningham’s better off than Charlie Weis. Honestly, I’m not sure how more coaches and sideline personnel aren’t injured in the way that Weis was. The Michigan State WR’s knee is just bruised, which will slow him slightly, but not enough to keep him out of this big game. Yes, it’s always a big game when you play Notre Dame, not because they’re a great team — they’re not — but because they are Notre Dame. Cunningham’s bruise did keep him out of the second half, but sources tell me that’s because they were looking ahead and didn’t need Cunningam to push it against FAU.
Kevin Jurovich WR SAN JOSE STATE
Injuries are occasionally an opportunity. Kevin Jurovich was expected to be San Jose State’s biggest weapon downfield, but he’s unlikely to be available again while dealing with mono. That’s opened the door for Brandon Rutley, a frosh that’s putting up big numbers on both offense and as a return threat. Jurovich’s return is going to be based solely on his strength and stamina, something that’s very tough to predict with this illness. While the team hasn’t ruled him out for this weekend’s matchup with Stanford, you should be considering other options with Jurovich so questionable and limited even if he plays.
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