Injuries update

[PonyPride]

The Mustangs had three significant injuries Saturday: center Blake McJunkin sat out the Ponies' victory over UTEP, while strongside linebackers Victor Jones and Randy McKinnon each left the game with injuries: Jones dislocated his left shoulder, while McKinnon left with an injured left knee — the same one in which he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in last year's SMU win over UAB.

Because of privacy laws, SMU head coach June Jones did not comment Tuesday on his players' injuries, other than to say that McJunkin was back at practice but not yet at 100 percent, and he (June Jones) was hopeful McJunkin can play Saturday evening against Northwestern State. Victor Jones and McKinnon, their coach said, would be unavailable.

The Mustangs' coach can't comment on their injuries, but the players can:

• McJunkin said his ankle is "getting better" and added that "it feels good to be back on the field" for Tuesday's practice.

"It felt good to run today, and get a little live, quick change-of-direction work in," he said. "It's still a little tough getting burst off the shuffle — when I drag it (sideways), it's a little sore, but I'll be OK."

McJunkin said he intends to be ready to play Saturday against the Demons.

• Victor Jones, who also took part in Tuesday's practice, said he dislocated his left shoulder when he reached out to make an arm-tackle and the UTEP ball carrier "ran right through it."

When he headed to the sideline, SMU's medical staff pulled on his arm in an effort to re-align the arm and allow it to slide back into place. The fact that the process was (somewhat painful and) difficult, he said, was "a good sign, because the muscles around my shoulder are so strong."

Jones left the field to go inside for X-rays, where his arm "sort of got sucked back in" to its proper place.

"That felt great, and after that, I wanted to go back and play," he said. "I'm not trying to miss any games. But they told me I couldn't go back in, and took my helmet."

Jones said he knew the plan was to hold him out of Saturday's game, and said he has been given no timetable for a return to the field, but said he hopes to return "as soon as possible."

"I'm trying to be back now," he said Tuesday. "I have a pretty good range of motion, but I guess they just want to make sure I have a full range of motion and get my strength back. But I want to get back as fast as I can."

• McKinnon said his knee already feels better but sat out Tuesday's practice as a precautionary measure. He underwent an MRI Monday but did not yet have the results.

McKinnon, who is on the team this season after receiving an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA, said that when he was hurt against the Miners, he didn't immediately fear a repeat of the ligament tear he endured in 2010.

"I was more nervous than anything," he said. "Last year, I hopped off the field, because if that was going to be my last time on the field, I didn't want to be helped up. This time, I was able to get up and walk off, so hopefully I'll get good news."

[Hey June]

Glad Blake is feeling better, and here's hoping they all get back to 100 percent soon.

I have got my fingers crossed for McKinnon. As someone who has torn my ACL twice, I cringed when I saw him go down in the win over UTEP. I hope my concern proves to be unfounded.

[ojaipony]

I hope Blake gets back soon but don't rush it until 100% to minimize a re-injury ... I think the biggest miss will be Victor Jones ... really athletic guy and our defense needs all the help it can get so I hope he gets back out there this week ...

[PonyPlayer4]

Maybe I'm not watching the same game, but I don't think Victor Jones has had an impact yet besides a bogus PI call. Only played 6 quarters, but in my opinion he has played soft. It will be interesting to see how Rambo does in his place.

[ClickClack]

I was going to post something similar...aside from 1 play where he made a TFL because he went unblocked, he hasn't done anything except get smoked in coverage.