Looks like some lingering injuries will knock out Derting and Jordan for spring ball. Better to err on the side of caution on these guys, no question, get them ready for the summer and fall. Just a chance for their understudies to step in this spring and make a name for themselves! Also looks as though Swoggs is VERY doubtful for this spring, which will make for an interesting fall camp at the QB spot.
Check it out from the Spokesman:
PULLMAN – Washington State is still uncertain about the status of three key players for spring football practice in April.
Quarterback Josh Swogger, middle linebacker Will Derting and wide receiver Chris Jordan are all recovering from injuries suffered during the 2004 season and could be held out of spring drills to help them recuperate before the 2005 season kicks off.
WSU trainer Bill Drake said Swogger’s chances of playing in the spring are still questionable as he works his way back from Oct. 22 foot surgery, while Derting and Jordan are both doubtful to play after having surgery in December.
Derting had the scaphoid and lunate bones in his left wrist fused on Dec. 14 after playing the entire season with a dislocation suffered in August. Three days later, Jordan had arthroscopic knee surgery to clean up some wear and tear. It was performed on the same left knee on which Jordan needed reconstructive surgery for an ACL tear suffered in the 2003 Apple Cup.
“The thinking on both Will and Chris is that we don’t want to add extra mileage to those injuries in spring ball,” Drake said. “It would be good to get a good base of rehab for the spring and then your training for the summer so you come into August in the best, 100 percent health you can.”
While Derting and Jordan were able to play with their injuries in 2004, Swogger had his season but short after starting six games. During the course of the season, the sophomore sustained a partial PCL tear in his right knee, a rotator cuff strain in his left shoulder and a sore ankle, one that may have eventually helped contribute to the broken navicular bone in his left foot that required surgery.
Swogger was off crutches in December, ahead of schedule, but has still not thrown a football and has done limited work in the weight room this month.
The good news for Swogger, who could be competing in a second consecutive spring for the starting job with Alex Brink, is that the time off has allowed all the other injuries to heal.
“I’m still limited right now with what I can do, but I’m pretty much full-go with everything but the left foot,” Swogger said. “They’re just being really, really cautious with it, not letting me do squats or anything like that.”
Drake said WSU and Swogger’s doctors are working on a “logical progression bringing him up to the point where he’ll be ready to play again.”
Swogger spent 11 weeks on crutches and is optimistic about his chances for a return before fall training camp, but said he understands that in the end it may not be his call. He also discussed the possibility of using a sawed-off shin guard to help protect his foot once he makes a return to the playing field.
“I think I’ll be ready to go for spring ball unless something was to happen,” he said. “I’m not going to rush it. … If they want me to sit out spring ball, then that’s what I’ll do.”
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
