Injury worries

[johnnd05]

I know that this isn't what anyone wanted to hear, but ...

• Dan Wenger, who was injured late in the game against UM, has been described by Coach Weis as "iffy" for the MSU game, and has not been in practice all week, from what I can tell. (More "insider" info on Wenger is available in the VC-only forum.)
• Michael Rothstein reported today that Justin Brown "is looking a little bit hobbled these days. During a running lines drill the Irish typically do, every other player did side steps while Brown lugged along straight ahead. He also stretched with a trainer instead of another player and was doing calf and leg stretching maneuvers while the rest of the Irish were doing other stretches. And he looked very awkward doing so. As another reporter put it, he was the definition of 'gingerly.'"
• Also via Rothstein: "Pat Kuntz, during individual drills, had to get some tape cut off his right foot. For what it's worth, there was A LOT of tape on Kuntz' ankle and foot."

Yikes ...

 

[goldandblue]

The Brown and Kuntz injuries sound like they are not to bad. Maybe a muscle tear and a sprained ankle? Any one got more "in depth" info?

 

[johnnd05]

One last bit, this from the Chicago Tribune earlier this week:

Weis said he flipped his offensive tackles for the Michigan game due to an injury that prevents one of them from playing one of the spots effectively. Sam Young moved to left tackle, Paul Duncan to right tackle against the Wolverines. Weis wouldn't elaborate on who has what malady.

Huh. Puzzling.

 

[goldandblue]

I'm hoping that Young is staying at backside tackle now. I think that will be a good fit for him. Usually you want your best tackle on the backside so that your quarterback gets as few "suprises" as possible. Although it didn't play out like that in the Michigan game.

 

[Newc]

This is where things begin to become worrisome. The last thing this team needs in an injury list...though it is football and to be expected. With the lack of depth that we have this could turn out to be the biggest problem ND faces this year.

I hope these guys are just a little banged up and are able to continue to go out and perform, all the while gaining the expierence we need to make our NC run in a couple years.

 

[JeremyND07]

I think Hand will come in and impress enough to keep the starting job at DE. Wenger has not been playing well and gets no push on the OL...Young is being moved to his more natural position so I think over all the line will look better. Kuntz has been doing well at NG so that is the only injury I am really worried about because you have to keep fresh guys in at NG. The others I look to actually help improve our team!

 

[johnnd05]

Per the SB Tribune, Wenger will be out this week and Matt Carufel will be starting in his place.

Human planet (or is it planet-sized human?) Chris Stewart, whom some have suggested should be in there because if opposing players are just going to run around our offensive linemen we might as well play the guys who take the longest to run around, will be Carufel's backup.

 

[KamaraPolice]

Per the SB Tribune, Wenger will be out this week and Matt Carufel will be starting in his place.

Human planet (or is it planet-sized human?) Chris Stewart, whom some have suggested should be in there because if opposing players are just going to run around our offensive linemen we might as well play the guys who take the longest to run around, will be Carufel's backup.

“My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Sandwiches.”

lol

 

[johnnd05]

“My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Sandwiches.”

lol

Yeah, that's pretty funny.

 

[johnnd05]

Just a quick note: Matt Romine, Justin Brown, and Harrison Smith all didn't make the trip to West Lafayette today. The latter two were injured, but no word yet on why Smith wasn't there. Moreover, according to the official box score it doesn't look like Derrell Hand saw the field at all - this may not be accurate, though.