Virginia Tech associate athletics director for sports medicine, Mike Goforth, provided BeamerBall.com with a comprehensive list of football injury updates. Virginia Tech last released a Hokies injury update from Goforth in January.
Linebacker Devin Vandyke's football career is over. Goforth told BeamerBall.com, "Devin continues to have issues with his shoulder and will need surgery. At this point, we've recommended that he discontinue with his football. I think Devin understands that this is in his long term best interest and has accepted the fact that he will no longer be medically cleared to participate and will accept medical disqualification."
Devin's once promising career was derailed by a slew of injuries. In addition to the bum shoulder, his knee limited him in 2012 and forced a redshirt. A torn left ACL against Western Carolina sidelined him in 2013. He was ruled out for 6-8 weeks prior to the 2014 season with a right lower leg stress fracture. He wound up not playing a snap the entire season.
Jonathan McLaughlin is ready to roll. Virginia Tech's most experienced offensive tackle had season ending surgery after suffering a left ankle injury during the Boston College game. Goforth said, "He's really confident and he's looking great."
Tailback Shai McKenzie is limited for winter and spring, but according to Goforth expected to be full for summer. McKenzie tore his right ACL two times within a 53 week span. The first injury occurred on September 13, 2013, the second on September 20, 2014. He had knee surgery in October.
"We reconstructed his ACL and he's doing great," Goforth said.
When he's healthy, McKenzie is Virginia Tech's best running back.
McKenzie's backfield counterpart Marshawn Williams also tore his ACL last season. His happened against Duke, and he had knee surgery in mid-December. It's possible he too might be good to go this season.
"Had his knee surgery in mid-December, but he's looking great and really pushing through his rehab. I'm confident he'll be close for summer, and with the way he works, and his strength and attitude, I wouldn't bet against him."
Prior to Goforth's comments, I though both running backs would take a redshirt year before returning in 2016.
Cornerback Brandon Facyson won't participate in winter workouts and will be reevaluated for spring ball.
Defensive tackle Luther Maddy is healing up well.
"Very encouraged with him. He's doing phenomenal. We're going to hold him out of both Winter and Spring. We need him back healthy and ready to roll when summer rolls around," Goforth said.
Smart move not to play it cautious. There's plenty of depth at DT and no need to rush Big Lu back.
Additional note, there hasn't been an update on Facyson's or Maddy's medical hardship waiver requests.
Offensive lineman Braxton Pfaff's recovery from fall shoulder surgery is ahead of schedule. As Goforth put it, "He's just blowing through his rehab." Pfaff is limited in winter and spring.
Do-it-all-back Sam Rogers is now limited for spring, but full for summer.
Rover Zach Snell (wrists) will miss winter workouts and is limited for spring.
Linebacker Sean Huelskamp (ACL) is limited for winter and spring.
Punter A.J. Hughes (back surgery) is limited, but "progressing well."
Guard Kyle Chung (shoulder surgery) is out for winter for spring, but should be full for summer.
Defensive end Ken Ekanem (shoulder surgery) is out for winter and spring, but should be full by Summer.
Comments
Feel terrible for Van Dyke. Hate it when that happens. That's awesome news for Juice and Shai. I agree at least one or both should redshirt one more season. Hope everything works out for Facyson because we need him back big time. I see Sam Rogers' is almost fully healed after it got scared by him.
Concerned about Facyson the most.
I'm really worried his career may be over just because this leg injury seems to not be fixing itself. Sad Sad Sad if that's true.
His bio page said he wants to be a doctor. If it doesn't work out I am sure he will do well in life.
A surgeon, to be exact. I believe it was a heart surgeon that he wanted to be.
I hate to be negative, but from the sound of things I believe Facyson is done.
And, in this case, I reiterate... I REALLY REALLY HATE being negative. He's a great kid, and has such a load of talent.
I wouldn't go so far as to say he's done, but I'd be surprised to see him back to his old self this year.
Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.
During his freshman season I think he was actually better than Kendall.
For most of the season I agree, except Kendall caught up to him by the end of the season
I think that early in the season the coaches were able to put Facyson into coverages that best utilized his strengths because Kyle was locking the other side down and Kendall was usually on the same side of the field allowing Brandon to play more aggressively. When Kyle was out later in the season, Kendall moved over to take Kyle's spot and the coaches weren't able to put him into coverages that took advantage of his closing speed as often as they did ealier in the year.
Yeah, Bud's system definitely helped showcase Facyson's abilities, especially his closing speed. In fact, Facyson/Fuller might have had the best skillset match for Field/Boundary corner of any CB duo we've had. Fuller was often on an island, but had (has) the hips and technique to put a blanket on darn near anyone one-on-one. Facyson was often put in a spot where he was a little looser in coverage, baiting the QB into throwing at him, and had to rely on his quicks and said closing speed to make a play.
Dang..the spring game doesn't look like it will be much of an indication, personnel wise, of what we'll see on Labor day. Got a bunch of key contributors either out or limited.
That's ok. AnOSU won't know what's coming.
oh they are going to know whats coming! i can promise you that. now weather or not they are prepared for it this time is another story.
At least we will see what kind of depth we have in the pipeline.
Shai and Juice being out means more reps for McMillian and Reid
No Facyson means an earlier look at Terrell and Mook
Holding Maddy out will allow more development for Walker and Sobczak (maybe Mihota, but I'm thinking he may get moved outside)
Ekannibal being out would allow for Mihota to make the move and get reps, plus Nijman could get serious reps as well (I'm thinking Keihn might get moved to LB unless he's put on thirty good pounds)
I hate that we didn't get a chance to see what DVD could do for a full season, but his absence will allow for guys like Keihn, Moss, and Minor to get more work.
It sucks for Spring ball, but I think we'll be better off because of it when the games count
I agree with this whether he puts on the weight or not.
Yeah, his move to DE was more of a way to get him on the field early and get some much-needed depth at end. He's way too small and is a better fit at backer anyways.
I am looking forward to him moving back to backer
So, that statement about Chung runs contrary to what Stiney said at recruit night. If he can go, then he will be in the mix at center.
I still say you sit McKenzie and Williams for a year. It is irresponsible to rush either kid. They both want to play and I appreciate that, but the long term chronic consequences need to be weighed by the staff and physicians and the player's best interest needs to be considered first.
The Facyson news is worrisome. He is a case study in why McKenzie and Williams should use the extra time instead of pushing it.
I agree on McKenzie and Williams. I don't want them rushed back at all. McKenzie had the same knee injury in back to back seasons. Williams tore his mid-season and has a lot of weight to put on his knee. If he cuts, with that weight, it could cause him to reinjure it.
Anyone know of any any medical precedent or history on coming back from these injuries? Is it a case of "once it's healed, it's healed" and injuring it again is more a reflection of chance than a matter of rushing back, or will sitting them from a year actually help prevent future injury?
My intuition would say that after the allotted healing time, there's diminishing returns in terms of how much you're actually helping to prevent another injury, and extra time out is more of an emotional response, but I'm not exactly a doctor.
My understanding is that the medicine has improved dramatically and the recovery time isn't what it once was. However, it still makes me nervous to see these guys come back so quickly.
Pretty much all the data is anecdotal. A. Peterson set an NFL rushing record coming off torn ACL and surgery. Shai tore his ACL again coming off his surgery last year. Many players have had success. Many never truly recover.
Just have to hope that Shai and Marshawn reach that level of success they're capable of.
I don't think you can compare Facyson's lingering injury and Shai and Marshawn's ACL as a case study. A bone injury and a ligament injury are very different and the healing process is very different. Comparing them to Exum would be more reasonable but even the, the timing and the injury itself are different for them.
I'm a little nervous about the idea of Williams and especially McKenzie coming back so quickly from ACLs, but the coaching staff knows way more than I do.
Also, does McGlock being "ready to roll" mean he'll participate in the spring and summer? I thought he was supposed to be out until fall camp.
Encouraging and fairly surprising news that the RB's are coming along so well. I'm still concerned about Facyson though. He has a lot to come back from. Rooting for him so he can get his career back to full gear, and we'll get an All-ACC caliber DB back.
Good to see Shai progressing well. I know it has been hard on him to rehab like crazy two years in a row along with school and everything else. I dont know much about how rehabs like this go, I hope he comes back better, but it will be hard to say.
If him and WIlliams arent 100% come fall, I hope they redshirt. The last thing we need is another log jam of banged up tailbacks. As much potential as we have at that position, I dont know how some of these guys wouldnt pass Williams and Shai coming off of surgery. Anyway, a lot can happen between now and then. The position will be better than last year no matter what.
Maybe it is good news that Fayscon has not been ruled out for the spring. If he can come back for the spring, that would be huge. I think we are all kind of forgetting about him in the depth at DB, if he comes back at a high level. Good luck to these players with their rehabs!
I can't speak for everyone, but I sure haven't forgotten about Facyson at DB.
I definately consider it good news that he hasn't been ruled out for spring already. I think best case he would be a limited participant in spring practice, full for summer conditioning and full for fall camp & the season.
"When he's healthy, McKenzie is Virginia Tech's best running back"? Can't say I agree with the certainty with which you say that.
IMO, he's one of several similar caliber backs with differing strengths and weaknesses.
I thought Shai was out best back last year. He had the best vision (Coleman's vision improved the last 4 weeks) and the best mix of speed and power of our backs. I don't know who you could say was a better all around back.
He probably has the best vision and natural running ability, but I would say Edmunds is faster and at least as strong (as is Coleman -- who also showed good vision late in the yr) and Williams is stronger and has decent enough vision and running ability.
Like I said, he's one of several similar caliber backs with differing strengths and weaknesses. But he's not clearly the best RB.
McKenzie is certainly a dynamic runner, but who was the starter while he (McKenzie) was healthy?
Marshawn Williams.
I think hw was the starter more out of experience than talent and ability since he practiced and dominated last spring. Shai should have gotten reps 2:1 I though before the injury, he was a but more dynamic than Juice in the open field.
Huh? I definitely remember Shai getting more reps and yards.
Said before, will say again. I think Juice has more overall upside.
I am a big fan of Williams. I think his ceiling is higher and will come later. The other guys are great, of course.
I was about to post something to this effect. I don't think we have enough to go on to make the claim that Shai is flat-out our best back.
Everyone on here is pretty adamant about Shai and Williams redshirting a year to continue rehabing their knees. My thoughts on this, as someone who has had knee injuries, are that it takes x amount of time for the ACL to heal and x amount of time to regain the strength around the knee to protect it. (This also depends on the extent of the injury but it sounds like both were pretty clean tears, not like Exum) Both will have had time for the ACL to have healed by fall. The big factor is will the strength be back. That "x amount of time" is what is different for every person and is what decides if they are ready for the season. If by the time fall camp rolls around, Shai is cleared by the medical team, his knee strength has returned in the weight room and on the conditioning field, why should he not play? What is there to gain sitting out a year? Sure he will get stronger but that isn't to say his knee isn't strong enough to be successful and healthy this year. Players plant and land funny every season in college and tear ACLs who have never had knee injuries before. It is part of the game.
There is a difference in rushing through rehab and rehabing quickly. If you truly rush it, you will have the setbacks and they will not be ready. If they are rehabing quickly because they are doing what they are supposed to and are young kids who heal well with proper nutrition, they will rehab at the right pace and be ready on time.
I want the health and safety of our players first and foremost but there are a lot of reactions to the news that Shai should be ready and that Marshawn could be ready and that they should sit out even if they are ready. If the medical and training staffs say they are healthy and physically ready to play, I think they should be full go in fall camp. If their performance is what it needs to be, they should be on the field Labor day. If it is lagging behind due to the mental aspect, confidence, or just rust, then I think the staff should evaluate week to week and if by week 4 they are not ready, a redshirt should be the option then.
I agree with your post. My sediments exactly. If "blowing through" rehab means they are progressing positively in a carefully planned rehab program... let the boys play.
Leg for your "sediments"
I almost lost it...lol
"My sediments exactly" is an inside joke between a bunch of my old, old friends and a foreign exchange student. It also involves the terms "rocket surgeon" and "brain science".
I probably should check myself before typing in a public forum...
I think there's a lot of confirmation bias in people's perception of this kind of thing. If Shai comes back and he's ready to go, but tears his ACL again, its doesn't necessarily mean he was "rushed" back, athletes tear their ACLs all the time. By sitting them a year it might be that all your doing is pushing the risk out a year instead of actually mitigating it. Or maybe not...I'm just not looking forward to all the amateur pundits who will know better than the doctors because they get to judge based on the outcome (which is largely random).
Those points were bouncing around in my head when I mentioned the risk vs. reward below. You just can't tell whether you are actually reducing the risk of injury by waiting a year or just delaying it by a year.
Hey, I had a semester of medical physiology. So I'm pretty much a doctor. Every injury ever is completely because the medical staff didn't agree with decisions I made about preventative treatments weeks after the injury took place.
I'm not a doctor, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
I am a doctor, but not the right kind to have any expertise here.
Lol. Reminds me when a teacher of mine from high school who had his PhD told the class that his young son had said to him, "Dad, you're a doctor, but not the kind who can help anybody."
Trust me, I'm a beard...I mean doctor
Thou shalt always receive upvotes for TNG references
On a side note, looking at the picture in the article makes me September sick. I can't wait for warm weather, football, drinking beer and bourbon while playing cornhole outside and watching college football.
Who gets the start? A 80% Juice, 90% Shai, or a 100% healthy JC? I've been impressed with JC's strength improvements in the weight room and the way he finished last season. I'm also not a fan of the RB committee approach. I think his improvement at the end of last year was partially due to receiving so many carries and getting into the groove of the game.
Run JC this year and redshirt the younger guys to split the carries in 2016 and beyond.
A 100% Trey gets the start for me
Agree. No matter how good they look we should redshirt both Juice and Shai for the year to make sure they are fully recovered...
I just don't see the risk vs. reward paying off in our favor by playing them next year. If we weren't so deep at RB then maybe only redshirt one, but we're doing alright at RB depth. There's too much risk at this point, especially this being Shai's 2nd injury.
I'd like to see a Trey/JC rotation, with maybe Shai mixed in a bit if he's cleared. Whoever's the top guy should be getting at least 60% of the carries with maybe a 30/10 or 25/15 split after that. Shoot, maybe Reid really blows people away and becomes that power back we've been missing and makes the decision to redshirt Shai/Williams easier. I know people probably don't want to hear that ("the decision to redshirt him shouldn't depend on how much he'll play") but, the coaches will play him if he's medically cleared and can help the team. If Reid or another kid steps up and Shai can't help the team as much, he'll sit.
I have a feeling McMillian and Reid will have a lot to say about the RB rotation come this spring. It's going to be interesting to see the depth chart shake out with so many talented guys and Shai and Marshawn being ahead of schedule.
A year ago I wouldn't have believed I would agree with you, but I do now. Of course the way JC finished the season has a big part to do with that, but I think we both would say if Marshawn and Shai sit out then a Trey/JC combo should be a good way to go. Mix in Travon McMillian and possibly DJ Reid and we've still got a solid backfield.
My biggest concern with redshirting Shai and Juice is that it doesn't allow for time seperation between them and MacMillian and Reid. I know it's foolish to look four years into the future, but having all four finish their eligibility at the same time could be crippling to our run game, because we simply don't have enough carries to go around for five or six backs.
A lot can happen even in the next two years. Look at Kenny Lewis for example. Even though we want all of our guys to get carries, we can only worry about how well the run game as a whole is performing. That's why we're still recruiting guys like McClease.
Feel dumb for even admitting this, but I had almost forgotten about Trey. I realize a broken collarbone is relatively minor compared to knee injuries, but I suppose he's 100% now?
If Trey is back and JCC can run like he did to finish the season, I truly see no reason to go into 2015 not planning to redshirt either Shai or Marshawn, if not both.
As you can see from my OP above, I clearly forgot about Trey too, haha. He was pretty ineffective in the Military Bowl. Let's hope he can shake off the rust this spring and stay injury-free.
Watch highlights from the 2013 Miami and UVA games. When he's healthy, Trey is a horse (on a treadmill). No way he doesn't get a look. His pass blocking is the best of any of the backs and at the end of 2013 he was getting really comfortable with the reads.
Nothing comes out when they move their lips; just a bunch of gibberish. Hokies act like they forgot about Trey.
Are the number of re-injuries high or is just reading them all at once that makes them seem to high
Based on the number of injuries we've had last few year and then reading all the reinjuries is there something we aren't doing right
I think it's mostly just reading them all at once that makes it seem high. The only one that I had forgotten about was Ekanem, but that seems like something he's been needing for a while that he just put off until the end of the year. While it definitely seems excessive, I'd be surprised if we were seeing many more injuries than most other programs in the country. Not sure how to check that, but it'd definitely be interesting.
I don't think we have any more than a normal program, outside of last year, which was exceptionally bad. The only team I remember having consistently bad luck is Maryland and maybe NC State a few years ago.
Going on reported injuries from 2004 through 2009, there were 41,000 injuries suffered by NCAA football players at the (then) 633 schools to play football. That averages out to about 11 injuries per team each year; I think our number last year was 18. However, it isn't unheard of to have teams with 10 guys out for the season.
http://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/NCAA_Football_Injury_WEB.pdf
It's like VT hired Dr. Nick Riviera to head up their medical staff and no one noticed.
Did you go to Hollywood Upstairs Medical College, too?
Hi Dr. Nick!
There is obviously a mistake here, the only thing that can injure Sam is Chuck and we all know such a fight did not occur because the world as we know it has not ended...
Chuck Norris?
Did I ever tell you about the time Chuck went horseback riding with Bill Brasky, but there weren't any horses around? Well, Brasky throws a saddle on Chuck's back and rides him around Wyoming for three days. Well wouldn't you know it Chuck's stamina increases with each day and he develops tremendous leg muscles. So anyway, Brasky decides to enter him in the Breeders Cup, right? Under the name Turkish Delight. And he's running in second place, and he's running and breaks his ankle! They're about to shoot Chuck, when someone from the crowd yells out, God bless him, 'Don't shoot him, he's a human!'
4FSA
Heh. Very Norm MacDonald. Leg.
im fully convinced Lane stadium is constructed on top of an old indian burial ground. Our injury luck is the worst.
It happens to every team. The national champs were down to their 3rd string QB by the end of the year. The injuries just seem like more of a problem for us because our recruiting doesn't allow us the same depth as bigger programs, even if it has improved of late.
Man! Looking at all these injuries, no wonder we didn't win a national championship last season.
I think you have been drinking a little too much potato juice if you think that is reason we did not make the playoffs...
Don't you go and try to discredit my excuses.
Real shame that VT was the only team with any injuries. If other teams had injuries VT would have run the table for sure.
Needed to lose two quarterbacks, not running backs. How did we mix that up?
I'm encouraged about the news with Shai and Juice and still agree with the overall sentiment that it is best to redshirt them next year. But at the same time still way too early to make that call, got to keep them motivated on the rehab and knowing the play book etc. September 2016 is a long ways away, especially for a 19yo kid. There might be some tendency to take a little easy. It also probably provides some extra motivation to the other backs knowing that the guys at the top of the depth chart last season are still in the hunt.
Really hope Facyson can get healthy. He had a hell of freshman season. Getting him back also probably opens up a few more options at safety.
Trey will show out this year. I think Reid will surprise people with his physical style which is what we need running between the tackles for positive yardage.
Trey will singlehandedly destry UNC this year. Book it!
JCC p*wns Dook.
Hopefully Shai lays a whoopin on tOSU
You are aware that, yes even tho' he had our first TD in the game, he only rushed for a piddly 7 yds totes. Juice, Rogers, Brewer and even Coleman rushed for more yds than him (not knocking him of course).
Yes I am aware, but I am not looking backwards to base hopeful performances
A lot was left unsaid here.
AJ Hughes is limited [to punting]?
AJ Hughes is limited [to tackling]?
AJ Hughes is limited [to skateboarding]?
Sam Rogers is limited [to the Eastern Front]?