Injury updates (10/6/11)

[PonyPride]

• WR Darius Johnson said the MRI he had Tuesday on his knee confirmed the initial diagnosis: that he has a sprained medial collateral ligament (MCL in his right knee). He has attended practice this week while wearing an electronic simulation machine to try to increase circulation through the knee. He said Thursday that "it's a little sore (when) cutting" but said he hopes to return to practice Monday and fully expects to play next Saturday against UCF.

• QB J.J. McDermott was another spectator this week, as he rested his bruised ribs. McDermott said the ribs "hurt pretty bad" Monday, but they're getting better." He said the injury was a result of a hit he took from a defensive player's helmet during the Mustangs' win two weeks ago over Memphis. The pain, he said, went away last week but returned when he was sacked toward the end of the first half in Saturday's victory over TCU. If there were a game Saturday, McDermott insisted he could play, but given the Mustangs' bye week, the coaches and medical staff chose a more conservative approach. He said "it's pretty uncomfortable all times of the day. The doctor said an injury like this usually takes seven to 10 days, and with the bye week, I expect I'll be fine by Monday."

• WR Keenan Holman sat out the Memphis and TCU games with a sprained ankle, but said Thursday he is ready to return to the lineup (Der'Rikk Thompson started the last two games in Holman's place). He went through warm-ups with his teammates in Fort Worth and said he could run "pretty well." He admitted some discomfort remains when moving side to side, but added, "how often does a receiver move side to side? Plus, we won — that makes everything feel better."

• S Jay Scott is among the crew of Mustangs (like Johnson and WR Cole Beasley) who has watched practice while wearing an electronic stimulation machine. In Scott's case, the injury is a strained left hamstring. Scott said he can not yet run full speed, and is grateful the Mustangs don't have a game this weekend, as he does not know if he would be able able to play. He has done "some light jogging" and is hopeful to be back next week.

• WR Cole Beasley, who sat out of the win over TCU with a knee injury, "ran a little for the first time" Thursday. He followed practice with a visit to the training room, and left the Loyd All-Sports Center with a bag of ice on his knee. Beasley said he hopes to "start cutting" (while running) Saturday, and retains hope that he can return to the lineup in time for next week's game against UCF.

[2ndandlong]

Let's hope all plays out as expected.

[mrydel]

I assume all is progressing on schedule with Ja'Gared.

[Corso]

This would be huge if we got them all back for next week.

GO MUSTANGS!

[redpony]

Get well guys. We need to win-out the rest of the games.

GO PONIES!!!