40 Acres Sports

Bad news on the injury front this week for the Kansas game. We knew starting center Chris Hall would be out with a knee injury but cornerback Aaron Williams and tight end Ian Harris are also out. The true freshman Williams has been big for the secondary filling in and playing well while starting corner Chykie Brown was out, fortunately Brown is not on this week’s injury report.

Listed as questionable are two key members of the defensive line in end Brian Orakpo and tackle Lamarr Houston. Both players could play and rumors are both should be on the field today in Lawrence. Safety Ben Wells is also questionable.

With the offensive line injury, off field, and performance issues the last few weeks it is very good news that left tackle Adam Ulatoski is probable.

The official injury report for Baylor is out and is the worst one of the year. As expected, defensive end Brian Orakpo due to his left knee injury suffered against Texas Tech. Also listed as out for the game are corner Chykie Brown and punter Trevor Gerland. Senior wide receiver Quan Cosby is probable despite his back problems, though I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get only limited time unless he’s needed.

Senior fullback Luke Tiemann is done for the year after tearing the ACL in his left knee during the Texas win over Arkansas. Despite scholarship offers from other Division 1A schools, the young man out of Pflugerville decided to walk on at Texas. Tiemann started games at fullback during both his sophomore and junior seasons while also spending time at defensive end and contributing on special teams. His efforts earned him a scholarship before the beginning of this season.

Read the official university release below:

Longhorn senior fullback Luke Tiemann sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in his left knee in Texas’ 52-10 victory over Arkansas on Saturday, and will require season-ending surgery, UT Head Athletic Trainer for Football Kenny Boyd confirmed Sunday.

“It’s really disappointing that this injury is cutting my senior year short,” Tiemann said. “Being a part of this team has meant so much to me, and although I can’t help the team on the field, I’ll still be right here with my teammates cheering them on and helping any way I can while I’m rehabbing and finishing school.”

Tiemann is a fifth-year fullback who has also played defensive end and contributed on special teams during his 34-game career. He began his career as a walk-on and earned a scholarship in August 2008 after making the switch to fullback midway through 2006. He had played in all four games in 2008.

In 2007, Tiemann saw action in 11 games, including one start, at fullback and on special teams. He played in all 13 games at fullback and on special teams in 2006 and also saw limited action on defense at linebacker. The Pflugerville native is a 2007 first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection and a six-time member of UT’s Athletics Director’s Honor Roll.

“Luke is one of our great senior leaders,” said head coach Mack Brown. “He got a standing ovation when we presented him his scholarship in August, and he has, and will continue to have, a great impact on this team. He is as tough as they come, and has contributed so much from the full back position and on special teams. On top of that, he is an outstanding student. His presence on the field will be missed and someone will have to step up to fill his void.”

Get well soon Luke! Hook ‘em!

It was immediately obvious after watching the first replay of Blaine Irby’s gruesome knee injury but it is now official that the sophomore tight end will miss the remainder of the 2008 season. According to a press release from the university Sunday evening Blaine suffered a dislocated right knee and will undergo season ending surgery. He’ll be able to seek a medical redshirt and should have a full three years of eligibility remaining when he (hopefully) returns to the field in 2009.

Read the full press release including quotes from Irby and Mack Brown below:

Longhorn sophomore starting tight end Blaine Irby sustained a dislocated right knee in Texas’ 52-10 victory over Rice on Saturday, will undergo surgery and is out for the rest of the season, UT Head Athletic Trainer for Football Kenny Boyd confirmed on Monday.

“It’s going to be a long journey, and I just have to take it one step at a time,” Irby said. “I know the tight end spot and the offense won’t lose a beat because Peter (Ullman) and Greg (Smith) are there to lead the way. I’m going to be there too, helping out Coach Chambers. I’ll be there as a coach and a teammate and ready to help anybody in any way that they need me. Coach Brown told me that I could use a medical redshirt since this happened so early in the season, which would give me three more years, but that’s down the road. Right now, I just need to focus on being patient, taking it one day at a time, getting healthy and coming back stronger than ever.”

The 6-3, 235-pound Irby started all three games and had 10 catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns on the year. He led the Horns with seven catches for 62 yards and a TD in their 52-10 season-opening victory over Florida Atlantic. Irby also posted nine knockdown blocks in that game. He had a 23-yard catch at UTEP and registered two catches for 10 yards before sustaining the knee injury against Rice. He played in 11 games and registered two catches for 29 yards as a true freshman in 2007.

“We have a great history of tight ends and Blaine was quickly developing into the type of player to follow in those footsteps,” said head coach Mack Brown. “He was getting better every week and making a big impact in our offense. Blaine was very productive for us at a key time since we lost Jermichael (Finley) early to the NFL. As much as we’ll miss him this season, thank goodness he’ll get a redshirt year and have three seasons left when he gets back.”

In addition to Finley leaving school early, Texas also lost sophomore Josh Marshall during preseason drills. He sustained a left scapula injury and remains out indefinitely. Senior Peter Ullman and sophomore Greg Smith both have played this season and will compete for the starting tight end job.

Redshirt freshman Ahmard Howard will move up the depth chart and compete for action after playing primarily on special teams this season. Fellow redshirt freshman Ian Harris, who sustained a neck sprain in August, is expected to be cleared to return to practice soon. Offensive tackle Britt Mitchell has been playing tight end in short-yardage and goal-line situations as well.

We wish Blaine good health and determination through his rehab and can’t wait to see him back catching passes again as soon as possible.

We’ve had several people emailing asking for video of the Blaine Irby injury and also had several people send us the link, but out of respect for Blaine we’ve decided not to post the video. It is a gruesome and scary injury and right now we’d rather send some good vibes Blaine’s way than rewatch his injury.

If you’re desperate to watch it just head over to YouTube and just search for Blaine Irby and you’ll find it.

Get better soon Blaine. Hook ‘em!

Update: Irby’s injury is in fact season ending. (9/21/2008 10:20 pm)

Just a few days after I hear that he’s one of the pleasant surprises from the open practices, redshirt sophomore tight end Josh Marshall fractured his shoulder today. Josh came in as a wide receiver but was transitioning nicely to tight end and would have provided some solid pass catching ability to the position’s depth chart.

It is officially a left scapula injury and there is no timetable for his return to the field. According to the all-knowing Wikipedia, scapular fractures usually don’t require surgery. Most injuries heal fully in six weeks but full functionality will not return for several months. I’m not a doctor but this likely means Marshall is done for the season.

His absence means Blaine Irby and Peter Ullman are pretty much the only players at the position expected to contribute this season. Orangebloods is reporting former tight end and current center Greg Smith will return to the position in at least a part time role.

Daniel Gibson has surgery on left ankle to remove bone spurs and loose cartilage. He should be ready for training camp.

Availability of Gary Johnson still a game-time decision against Miami. I’ll be surprised if he plays, hopefully ready for Sweet 16 if the Horns make it.

Vince Young practices but is a game-time decision against San Diego. He’s going to have to carry the team, hope he’s healthy.

Titans place Bo Scaife on injured reserve. Out with a lacerated liver suffered when Vince left one a little high over the middle.

No big surprise but sophomore forward Matt Hill will have surgery on his left heel and will miss the rest of the season. I think they were holding out hope he could get by without going under the knife and get on the court this year, but I guess that wasn’t the case. He hasn’t played at all this year so he’ll be eligible for a redshirt and will still have three years of eligibility left.

Thankfully, his hair should be fine.

Now that Hill is officially out for the year the impending return of Gary Johnson becomes even more important. Rumors are that he should be cleared sometime in early January. He arrival will bring much needed depth and energy to the team just in time for conference play.

For the third time since he left Texas, TJ Ford had to be carried off a basketball court on a stretcher last night late in the Raptors win against the Hawks. Ford had played very well throughout game (26 points & 8 assists) when he stole the ball and was off on a breakaway late in the 4th quarter. Hawks’ forward Al Horford tried to stop TJ’s drive to the basket and reached out and nailed him across the face. TJ’s head snapped back from the force of the hit and then again when his body hit the hardwood. Horford was called for a flagrant foul and ejected for the play.

ESPN video of the game and the play are below:

It’s scary to watch TJ laying on the ground screaming in pain, especially because of his history. He looks like he is scared and in an incredible amount of pain. The good news is that he had feeling in his arms and legs when he was taken off the floor. He was expected to be kept in the hospital at least overnight, but there have been no updates yet this morning on how he’s doing. We’ll post any news as we hear it.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to TJ for a speedy recovery.

Update: Ford was released from the hospital this morning. All X-rays and an MRI were negative. He was able to fly back to Toronto and was given a standing ovation when he entered the arena and joined his teammates on the bench. No word yet on when TJ might be back in action. (10:38pm)

One day after claiming no new injuries, Texas training staff announces Sergio Kindle is out for Oklahoma State game. Crap.

Kevin Durant to start tonight against Nuggets. Made it through shootaround on his bum ankle and should be good to go.

No new injuries for the Horns after Nebraska game. Roy Miller and Sergio Kindle are fortunately both healthy for OSU.

He hasn’t been cleared for the regular season yet, but freshman forward Gary Johnson has been cleared to play in Friday’s exhibition game.

Freshman point guard Dogus Balbay has season ending knee surgery. Was expected to play valuable minutes as backup to DJ Augustin.

DE Aaron Lewis is probable for Nebraska game. I thought his elbow injury was going to keep him out a lot longer. Great news.

Vince Young likely to start Sunday against Raiders. Might not be 100% but they think he won’t re-injure his quad.

Vince’s quad is improving, but he’s still questionable against the Texans. Ahmard Hall is still being held out as well for the Titans.

Fullback Antwan Cobb is out for the year with an ACL tear. Chris Ogbonnaya moves back to fullback and Blaine Irby to see snaps there as well.

Vince Young day to day with quadriceps strain. Hopefully he’s healthy enough to lay a beating on the Texans next Sunday.

In some sad news, it looks like Limas Sweed will undergo wrist surgery, effectively ending his season and career at Texas. After evaluating Sweed’s wrist after the game, the medical staff decided that Sweed was just in too much pain to continue playing football.

“We’ve been very fortunate to have Limas for the past four years,” Brown said. “He’s made a lot of great plays and had a record-setting career at Texas. Limas is a fine young man who has been a tremendous representative of our program on and off the field. We appreciate everything he did to try to help the team this year, but since he is in such intense pain, he cannot continue to play. He will stay involved helping us and supporting the team even though he won’t be able to play, but since he keeps re-aggravating this injury, it’s important that he gets it fixed because he has a bright future in the NFL.”

I wonder, if Texas was 6-0 and not 4-2, would the recommendation from the medical staff be a little different. I am not trying to say that Sweed’s injury is not serious, but winning sure can make things feel better.

Source

Orakpo and Ulatoski are out against Rice. Sherrod Harris should be back but John Chiles is still listed at #2 QB.

Chris Simms on his injury status and Texas’ trip to Central Florida. He’s expecting a big showing of Longhorns at the game. (via)