Torlan Pittman talks about thumb injury, return timetable

[PonyPride]

Sophomore defensive lineman Torlan Pittman left Saturday's victory over UTEP just before halftime after getting his right wrist bent backward and then hit while making a tackle. Shortly thereafter, he learned he had a broken bone in his wrist.

Head coach June Jones said Monday morning that Pittman likely won't practice this week, and "might" try to play Saturday at Marshall with his wrist heavily wrapped. If Pittman doesn't play against the Thundering Herd, Jones said, the hope is that he will be ready for the regular-season finale against Tulane.

"I was going in on a tackle, and I just kind of threw my hand in there to get him," Pittman said of the play on which he was injured. "I got my hand on him, and then (safety) Rock (Dennis) came in from the side, and my wrist got bent back. They took an X-ray at halftime, and that's when I learned it was broken."

Pittman removed his pads and watched the second half from the sideline.

Wrist injuries can be complicated because of some of the delicate nature of some of the smaller bones in the wrist, but Pittman said he was told surgery will not be necessary because the break is a crack, and not a clean break.

"They won't have to" operate, Pittman said, "because the bone isn't displaced. It's just cracked, so it's more about pain and swelling."

Pittman has a light cast on the wrist, and said he isn't sure how swollen it is, although his hand is slightly swollen where the fingers stick out from the cast.

"When I first did it, it was pretty numb," he said. "Saturday night, it hurt a lot. But it's getting better. I'm hoping to play (against Marshall), but if I can't play this week, I definitely want to be in there against Tulane."

[RGV Pony]

any word which bone it was?

[SMU 86]

We are low on DT's. We need another big strong DT in the 2010 class and about 2 or 3 more in the 2011 class. Get well quick Torlan we need you.

[ClickClack]

I have a feeling we will be seeing more of Frazier in the middle with Thompson & Hunt on the outside when Parham needs a blow and in passing situations. Probably have Greinier rotate at end as well

[davidpaul123]

You really could see a change in the way UTEP was able to run the ball in the second half. It would be nice to get this kid back out on the field.

[PerunaPunch]

I wish we hadn't lost Evan. Big fella had a lot of potential, and we sure could use him now.

[High Horse]

Evan was in the stands on Saturday. Not where we would have wanted him this season.

[Vitale]

Hope that wrist feels better quickly, Torlan. We need you back FOR THE POSTSEASON.

Good job on the story, webguys.

[Get_Some_Ponies]

What are the injuries looking like for Saturday?

[BUS]

Could Evan come out of the stands and play?
Maybe he could offer to help.