Young's knee injury leaves him uncertain
Keith Sargeant • August 21, 2009 • 1 Comment
Kordell Young leaned against a fence poll just outside Rutgers' practice field Wednesday, sounding unsure as to whether he could play in his team's second intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday.
""I'm not sure yet, we'll see tomorrow how I feel and how much I'm going to be doing in practice," said Young, still recovering from a twice surgically-repaired knee injury. ""But I mean, Coach Schiano plans on progressing me in practice and seeing how my knee responds. It's not up to me, it's up to the coaches and the trainers."
On Thursday, Schiano seemed resigned to the possibility that Young could be sidelined for the Sept. 7 opener vs. Cincinnati and beyond. For most of preseason camp, Young participated in individual drills but was held out from contact.
But on Thursday, Young was nowhere to be seen.
""I'm concerned," Schiano said. ""He had some good days and I think he just needs more rest, which we're going to do whatever he needs to do but it's getting into (the season) now."
It's not that Rutgers is in horrible shape with its running back depth if Young misses the opener or a significant portion of the season. In fact, with Joe Martinek and Jourdan Brooks still vying for the starting position and true freshman De'Antwan Williams showing significant improvement, the Scarlet Knights' backfield could be one of the best in the Big East.
Young may never resemble the lightning-quick tailback he was as a true freshman backing up Ray Rice in 2006, when he averaged 4.8 yards rushing and 13.0 yards per reception in 11 games. But Young offers the kind of proven production the running back corps doesn't have, considering in his first year back from knee surgery he finished with a team-best 554 rushing yards and five touchdowns in only eight games.
""I hope and pray," Schiano said. ""I think he is a very valuable member, but it has just been a little tricky with that knee."
Though it's not known how long Young will be shut down, Young on Wednesday said he hoped to contribute sometime this season.
""There's no timetable that I set on myself, because I've been through this too many times and, I don't know if I necessarily rushed it, but now I just want to take my time and make sure I'm fully healthy by the time any game comes," the 5-9, 190-pound redshirt junior said. ""It doesn't matter if it's the first game, second game, third game — whenever I'm fully healthy, I'll be ready."
Young added, ""I definitely improve every single day. I'm learning to put more pressure on it, push a little bit harder, and my knee is slowly getting used to all the pounding so it's definitely coming around. I have no clue when I'll be ready, because the knee has a mind of its own and you never know when it's going to give out or anything like that. I'm still not sure when I'll be full-go, but as long as I stay on track I know I'll just keep getting better."
Posted in RU football on August 21, 2009 by Keith Sargeant.
About Keith Sargeant
Keith Sargeant is a graduate of Middlesex County College and Kean University. A Home News Tribune staff writer since August 1997, Keith has been covering Rutgers sports since 2000, serving as the Scarlet Knights' football beat writer since 2006.
View all posts by Keith Sargeant →
« Graves showing potential to be elite TE Practice 11, what Schiano said »
One thought on "Young's knee injury leaves him uncertain"
BoogieKnight
Kordell - please take care of that knee! With so many injuries already, you cannot risk rushing things. Your grit and determination are really appreciated, but look at the big picture for yourself! Another injury might mean hanging up your cleats for good.