Second surgery ends 2012 season for safety

[PonyPride]

Second surgery ends 2012 season for safety

Freshman safety A.J. Justice said Wednesday that he is headed back to the operating table, putting an end to his freshman season at SMU before it starts.

Justice had surgery in May to repair the scaphoid bone in his left wrist. In order to be cleared to play for the Mustangs, he had to get an X-ray, which revealed that the repaired bone had not fused properly. His second surgery will be scheduled as soon as possible, either this week or next.

“It didn’t heal up right,” Justice said. “It would have been good if I weren’t a football player, but to play, it’s got to be right, so they’re going to take the little screw out (of the bone) and put it back in at a different angle.”

Justice said doctors told him he will be unable to lift weights with his upper body for “about two months,” although he will do conditioning work and lift weights with his legs while his wrist heals.

After arriving on the Hilltop with the hope of competing for playing time, Justice understandably said he was disappointed to get the news.

“I was looking forward to playing — that was my goal, anyway,” Justice said. “But it will be OK. I’ll redshirt this year, so by the time I come back, ‘Smitty’ (strong safety Ryan Smith) will be gone, so hopefully next year I’ll have a chance to play. It will work out.”

[TWALV33]

Thats alright, this is the smart move. Make sure you heal up right, although I would've liked the added depth at safety.

[PonyPlayer4]

More of the only move than a smart move. Good luck with the surgery and healing.

[Corso]

This is unfortunate. I'm sure he wanted to play this year, but it's never a bad thing when a freshman has a chance to spend a year watching and learning. Get better, A.J., and come back strong next year.

[ponyscott]

We need taller DB's like him on the field, but come back stronger AJ!

[Otto]

I'm sorry to hear about this. Hope surgery and rehab go well.