The Worst Thing About Spring Football

2 comments so far March 29, 2007 by Darren K. Carlson

Cornerback Zackary Bowman - coming off of an ACL injury in his left knee last Fall - injured his right knee in practice Wednesday. The extent of the knee injury is still unknown. So, Husker fans are holding their collective breath and hoping Bowman is going to be able to contribute this fall. This injury conjures memories of NU's problems at cornerback last year, and serves as a reminder of the one true downside of Spring football. And, in other freak injury news, reserve I-back Kenny Wilson broke a bone in his leg...while moving a TV. This will likely put his rather injury-plagued career on pause for the season.

A Part of the Game
This injury will cause some to question Bowman's participation in drills, for sure. Injuries suck. But, they are a part of the game. NU is not the only team that will go through this type of situation either this spring or fall. That being said, it is the absolutely worst thing about spring football. To see a player (especially a potentially great player) get injured in a relatively low-stakes situation just sucks. The number one goal for every team in spring probably isn't player development, but to get through it with healthy players.

Paging Armando
Let's all hope that Bowman's injury is just a strain or pull and that he can recover and be ready for fall camp. It would be just horrible for this young man to miss another full year in his career. If you assume the worst, like a torn ligament, then Husker fans will have to look to new players to step up in Bowman's absence. Armando Murillo, please pick up a white courtesy phone.

Sure, NU returns both of its starters at cornerback - Andre Jones and Courtney Grixby. While it is fair to assume some degree of improvement from those players, they were beaten often last season, and NU was woefully short on depth. So, highly-regarded JC transfer Murillo tops the list of players to fill the void if Bowman is indeed out. NU may also look to younger players like Corey Young, Anthony Blue or Shawn Sullivan to provide some depth. And I wouldn't rule out Ricky Thenarse moving back to corner if things get dire enough.

A Tough Break for Wilson
You have to feel bad for Kenny Wilson. It's one thing for a strange infection in his knee to limit his playing time this spring. It's much more dire to break your femur. That is one of the strongest and biggest bones in the body, according to my doctor friends. That must have been some TV he was carrying. You can only hope this kid is able to heal, stay fit somehow, and get another opportunity in a year or so. While NU has Marlon Lucky and Cody Glenn ready to man the running back role, depth at the position now falls on the shoulders converted safety Major Culbert and the incoming true freshmen.

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