Injury updates: McKinnon, Tennison, Fields, Moore, Walker

[PonyPride]

Five players sat out Tuesday's practice: WR Ryan Walker (hamstring), CB Sterling Moore (knee), LG Bryce Tennison (ankle), CB Keith Robinson (abs and groin) and SS Randy McKinnon (knee). RB Darryl Fields (thigh) was back on the field with his teammates.

• McKinnon said he is done for the year after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee in Saturday's 28-7 win over UAB.

"I was running down on special teams," McKinnon said. "I planted and it kind of locked up, and then when I pushed forward, that's when I hurt it."

McKinnon, who is a graduate student working toward his Master's of Liberal Studies degree after graduating in three years from Syracuse, said the injury is a blessing in disguise, because he will be able to play again next year.

"Surgery will be set soon," he said, "and I never redshirted, so I can come back and play while I finish up my Master's degree."

When he was injured, McKinnon was tended to by the team's medical staff. When he was helped to his feet and guided toward the tunnel to the locker room, he shrugged off the help and hopped nearly 50 yards to the opening of the tunnel.

"I didn't know it was torn, but I had never experienced pain like that," McKinnon said. "I've never been in a position where I was down on the field, injured. I've been hurt before, but it was always something where I could get through that practice or through that game, and <i>then</i> go get treatment. But you never want to be carried off the field."

McKinnon said he still is experiencing some discomfort, and can not bend the knee yet. Surgery will be scheduled once the swelling subsides.

• Tennison sat out practice with his left foot in a protective boot, which he said is to protect a sprained ankle.

"It's not a big deal," Tennison said. "Kelly Turner slammed his guy, and he rolled into me. It's sore, but it will be OK."

Tennison has not yet been cleared to resume practicing, but both he and head coach June Jones said Tennison should return to the practice field later this week, either Thursday or Friday.

"It's a slight sprain, so (the boot) is just a precaution," Tennison said. "If it's up to me, I'm playing (Saturday against Washington State). The trainers are going to have to agree with me, but that's what I'd say — I'm playing."

• Fields left Saturday's game with a thigh contusion, which he said he suffered in part because he chose the wrong pads for his uniform.

"There are regular thigh pads, and there are thinner thigh pads," he said. "I was wearing the thinner ones, and when he hit me, it hurt through the pad. I'm going with the regular ones from now on."

Fields admitted that when he retreated to the sideline for treatment, he lobbied to return to the game.

"When it first happened, I was in pain," he said. "I was holding and gritting my teeth. They asked me if I was good (able to return to the game), and anyone is going to say they're good — you say anything to get back in the game. We were winning, and I was having fun. I wanted to play.

"But Zach (Line) was doing great, and he was moving the ball, so they were right to stick with him."

Fields said his leg remains a little sore, but after running all drills Tuesday and lifting weights after practice, he said he feels certain he can play Saturday against Washington State.

• Robinson hasn't played since re-injuring himself in preseason camp, and continues to spend practices watching and riding a stationary bike.

"I have a tear in my groin and strained abs," he said. "I'm probably going to have to have surgery on the abs, but they're going to let the groin heal itself. I'm going to wait until I see a specialist."

Robinson said he received a cortisone injection in the spring in an attempt to accelerate the healing process.

"That one worked pretty well," he said. "Then I had another one at the beginning of camp, but that only lasted about two weeks."

Robinson, who has not yet used his redshirt season since signing with SMU in 2008, said he didn't know whether he could recover from surgery in time to return to the field this season, but he made it sound unlikely.

"It's a six- to eight-week recovery from that surgery," he said.


Moore talks about his knee here: http://www.ponyfans.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=47797

Walker discusses his hamstring injury here: http://www.ponyfans.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=47589&p=557552&hilit=receiver+out#p557552

[ponyte]

Thanks for the updates.

[larskjenstad]

PP,

Great stuff...thanks for the detailed info.

[The PonyGrad]

Thanks for the usual great coverage.

[ponyscott]

Thanks PP...too bad about Randy....but glad he will be back next year.

[PK]

McKinnon, who is a graduate student working toward his Master's of Liberal Studies degree after graduating in three years from Syracuse, said the injury is a blessing in disguise, because he will be able to play again next year.

"Surgery will be set soon," he said, "and I never redshirted, so I can come back and play while I finish up my Master's degree."

Sounds like he has had some Koolaid...and liked it!!!!

[smu diamond m]

A big pat on the back to McKinnon, who really showed quite a bit of baddassness (and a monster champion mentality) by hopping all the way off the field.

[that's great raplh]

Tku

[HorsePower]

Seriously — anyone who watched McKinnon shrug off the trainers and hop off the field (truly under HIS OWN power) had to be impressed. That is one tough hombre who I have no doubt will work his tail off to come back bigger and better and stronger next year, and he'll be a real asset on special teams and on defense.

Good luck with surgery, Randy — all of us PonyFans wish you well!

[smuuth]

You are right Horsepower! To see him hobble off on one leg brought tears to my eyes because I was thinking this was a season-ending injury for this kid with no eligibility left and he was determined to not end his football career this way by being carried off the field. ....and he graduated in 3 years from Syracuse! These are the kinds of players we need more of on this team. They don't have to be great players physically but they can surely guide those who come from a "loafing" lacadaisical background with no eye on the future to show what can happen on AND off the field with the proper attitude and work ethic. Good Luck McKinnon and thanks for the inspirational words "a blessing in disguise " after your injury. We are pulling for you!