Triage Time: Save the Best for First... half

<!– /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1107304683 0 0 159 0;} @font-face {font-family:Verdana; panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:536871559 0 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;}

Running Back Javid Best, Cal– Body Contusions

Best suffered a multitude of body contusion and a low back strain two weeks ago against Oregon State as a result of being “helicopter spun” as he attempted to hurdle a defender and sat out last weeks game against Arizona.  His status is still listed as questionable even though he did not practice with the team on Monday.  The low back strain is the primary remaining issue because it involves the core of the body that attaches to the lower extremities.  This can obviously be extremely challenging for a speed and power runner like Best.  Just imagine your back aching every time you took a step-then imagine you are running very fast, changing directions often and being hit by large, powerful individuals.  That is basically what Best will have to face if he plays against Stanford this week.  Look for the Cal medical staff to closely evaluate Best on Wednesday and make the determination as to his availability this week.  Best guess for this week is that he will be in uniform on Saturday, but will not start the game, but rather be utilized in a limited role during the first half with the decision made at half time whether he can be more involved in the second half.  I do not look for this to be a big statistics week for Best regardless of his playing time.

Running Back Ryan Mathews, Fresno State–Concussion

Mathews suffered what has been termed a “mild concussion” last week against Nevada.  Remember that every concussion is a brain injury and should not be taken lightly.  Mathew is leading the nation in rushing yards and several of his pursuers gained more yardage than he did last week, tightening up that race.  Mathews is very motivated to play this week, but the Bulldog medical staff will make the final determination on his availability this week against Louisiana Tech.  They will examine him closely to determine if all symptoms of the injury, including headaches, have disappeared before they clear him to play.  If he is cleared to play, look for him to perform almost at full capabilities and to have a significant yardage gain day in an attempt to maintain his national rushing leadership.

Quarterback Zack Robinson, Oklahoma State–Concussion

Robinson will be returning to action a mere five days following a concussion that involved at least transitory loss of consciousness.  The five-day factor is brought about by the schedule, which puts the Cowboys against Colorado on Thursday night television.  I have a lot of respect for the Oklahoma State medical staff and, though the return seems awfully early, I know they would not clear him to play unless he had passed all of the neurological exams.  Loss of consciousness is not the primary determinant of the seriousness of a concussion, but it is one of the factors that the medical staff takes into consideration.  Robinson is practicing (non-contact, but that is the same for most quarterbacks in the country during practice at this stage of the season), so I expect Robinson to be the starter Thursday night and to have a big passing game against the Buffaloes.

Wide Receiver Damian Williams, USC–Ankle

Williams suffered a syndesmosis sprain (high ankle sprain) and sat out last week’s debacle against Stanford.  With an off-week on the schedule for the 21^st, Williams should be ready to fly again against UCLA on the 28^th, three weeks post-injury.  While his back up had a good game against, he is not at William’s level yet and Matt Barkley will need every available weapon against the Bruins to avoid losing the “Battle of Los Angeles”.

It has been a disappointing season for the Trojans and they want to finish strong by beating USC.  Look for William’s ankle to be securely braced or taped and for him to be in the starting line-up on the 28^th.  Since he is primarily a speed receiver, the injury will have little effect on his straight-line speed, but may be bothersome when trying to make rapid direction changes.

Running Back Noel Devine, West Virginia–Ankle

Devine possibly returned to action too early from his accumulation of ankle, leg and hip injuries, amassing only 48 yards against Cincinnati.  Another week of treatment and the prospect of playing against arch rival Pittsburgh will have Devine back in the very dangerous runner category when he carries the ball against the Panthers this week.  His ankle will be taped or braced, but he now has game experience with it, so look for Devine to display his normal break away running style if the offensive line can manage to make some holes in a very good Pitt defensive line.  Once Devine reaches top speed, there are very few defenders in the country that can stop him.

Wide Receiver A J Green, Georgia–Shoulder

At last sighting, Green was in street clothes on the sideline with his arm in a sling during the second half of last week’s Georgia victory over Auburn.  The diagnosis is an acromioclavicular (AC joint) sprain and Green will most likely miss the rest of the Bulldog’s regular season.  The AC joint basically hold the clavicle (collarbone) and scapula (shoulder blade) together and is a part of the shoulder girdle that facilitates most movements of the arm.  It is an injury that heals well, but does not heal rapidly-rest; rehabilitation and “tincture of time” are the essential ingredients in the healing process.

It is a good thing that Georgia attained its sixth win (Bowl eligible criteria) against the Tigers last week, because the Kentucky and Georgia Tech games are going to be very difficult to win without Green’s tremendous pass catching abilities.  Green should be available again for any Bowl game that occurs after December 14^th.  With Ron Courson handling the rehab, when Green returns, he will be at full tilt and ready to bring his best game to the Bowl.

Wide Receiver Greg Salas, Hawaii–Ankle

Salas sprained his ankle during the first quarter of the New Mexico State game, but didn’t tell the team physician or athletic trainers until after the game.  While this proves he is tough and has a high pain threshold, it brings into question his judgment.  The sooner such an injury can be treated, the better the result.  As of Monday, Salas was on crutches and, although x-rays showed no fracture, he is not likely to practice this week and is, at best, questionable for this week’s game against San Jose.  If he is cleared to play, it is unlikely that he will be able to perform up to his normal standards.

Running Back DaRel Scott, Maryland–Wrist

It has been six weeks since Scott fractured his wrist and x-rays have shown sufficient healing for Scott to be cleared to play this week against Florida State.  The wrist will be braced securely, but this should not affect his ball carrying abilities.  Scott’s body has had six weeks to rest up from the bangs and bruises of big time football, so he should be fresh, motivated and able to return to the form that made him one of the top running backs in the ACC.

Wide Receiver Jared Perry, Missouri–Knee

Perry suffered a sprain to the tibial collateral ligament (primary stabilizer on the medial side of the knee) and is out for the remainder of the regular season.  While the sprain will not require surgery, it still requires rest and four to six weeks of treatment and rehab to fully heal.  It is too early to tell if Perry will be recovered sufficiently to play in a Bowl game.  He has been a big offensive weapon for Missouri and will be sorely missed.

***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.

About these ads