Shula: "Prothro to get Medical Redshirt."

[DKW 86 7,437]

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/p.../609200375/1002

TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama coach Mike Shula had refused to rule out a possible return this season for Tyrone Prothro -- who broke his leg against Florida last season -- but a third surgery on the leg assured the senior wide receiver of a medical redshirt in 2006.

As of late Tuesday, Shula had not talked to Prothro since Monday's surgery and was vague on the reasons why another operation was necessary. This marked the third surgical procedure Prothro has undergone since breaking the tibia and fibula in his left leg in a 31-3 victory over the Gators on Oct. 1, 2005.

"I'm not really qualified to answer all those questions, but it's something we have had planned," Shula said. "The injury that he had is a very serious one and there are a lot of (medical) things involved with it.

"When the bone comes out of the skin, it takes time to heal, it takes time to get his leg right. He'll miss this year. Hopefully, we can get him back for next year."

In addition, free safety Cory Reamer and kick return specialist Terry Grant will also undergo surgeries this week. Grant will have surgery on his right shoulder on Thursday and will miss the remainder of the season. Reamer will have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Thursday as well and could return in the next several weeks.

Alabama associate athletic director for compliance Chris King said all three players are eligible for medical redshirt status -- provided Reamer doesn't play again in 2006 -- and said the university will apply for the redshirts at the conclusion of the 2006 season.

Reamer played in five games last season before injuring the knee in practice. Following that surgery, he missed the remainder of the year. This fall, he had participated in 27 plays against Hawaii and Vanderbilt as a backup to starter Jeffrey Dukes but did not dress out Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe.

Grant originally injured his shoulder against Vanderbilt but returned to play six plays against Louisiana-Monroe. Grant participated in two kickoff returns, but Mississippi's 2005 "Mr. Football" has yet to return a kickoff in college. He saw his first collegiate action on Saturday at tailback with two carries for 22 yards.

"His shoulder has been bothering him a little bit," Shula said. "We felt like we wanted to see if it was something that he could make it through the rest of the season. Talking to the doctors again this week, we decided it's something that's got to be fixed. So let's go ahead and fix it now and then have him back for spring ball."

Shula said Prothro's surgery "is not a setback in his rehab" and hopes the senior can return to the field in time for spring practice.

"He's doing great," Shula said. "His rehab is going well. It is as planned and going well. But it's going to take time. The ultimate plan is to get him back on the field for next year."

Receiver Keith Brown said Prothro was upbeat after the surgery.

"I talked to him but we didn't talk about his surgery," Brown said. "I try not to talk about that stuff. But he's pretty good, same old Tyrone. I don't think there's anything different right now."

[saniflush 0]

I hate it for the kid. I really do but c'mon. He will be ready to file for social security before he is ready to play another down at SPUAT.

[CCTAU 3,336]

Maybe not. With the advances in medicine, he may have a shot. Who was a several years ago they thought was through, and then he made it back, Garrison Hearst?

[aumd03 2]

Maybe not. With the advances in medicine, he may have a shot. Who was a several years ago they thought was through, and then he made it back, Garrison Hearst?

An open distal tib-fib (tibia-fibula) fracture is still one of the great debates in orthopedics as to how to treat. It doesn't have great blood supply and tends to get infected with open fractures as in this case. He may have a chronic smoldering infection for the rest of his life. I don't know all the details, but from what from what I've listened to, that would be my guess. I'm guessing the surgery this week was for hardware removal if it were planned. The problem with any infected fracture is that any hardware is just a place for bacteria to grow. Most of the time all internal hardware must be removed in favor of external hardware. And had hardware placed once the infection had cleared.

[Wishbone 0]

Good Post aumd03.

[creed 1,642]

...not to make fun of prothro's injury. but shula could use this opportunity to suspend him now for breaking any team rules in the future.

[Ryan Sanders 123]

Ice cream comes first though...can't suspend them without a tasty frozen treat.

[mcgufcm 4,107]

i'm pulling for pro. he's an incredible talent; i just hope he's not another ac carter. college football would be worse off if he never sees the field again.

[AUman43 5]

You have to admire this kid...but....if he wants to continue to walk without crutches or worse......better leave the football alone!

[GoAU 1,600]

Regardless of whether he plays again, I wish him a full recovery and hopes he makes the decision that is right for him.

[TigerOne 1,150]

had he already been redshirted?

Medical Redshirt: The term "medical redshirt" is not an official NCAA term either. It is also a reference to a year in which a student-athlete does not use a season of eligibility. As the term suggests, a "medical redshirt" occurs when the student-athlete does not compete due to an injury or illness. If a student-athlete actually competes during a given year and is then injured, he/she must apply for a medical hardship waiver so that he/she will not be charged with a season of eligibility.

an unusual source but what the hey

http://www.lincolnu.edu/pages/1028.asp

and this

Who is eligible for a medical hardship waiver?

Players are eligible if they have participated in less than 20% of the scheduled season and the illness or injury occurs in the first half of the season. The illness or injury must result in an incapacity to compete for the remainder of the season. Players who have already had a redshirt season or a prior waiver are not eligible.

[BamaGrad03 0]

No he has not redshirted. He played as a true frosh.

[Draven 0]

I don’t see him on the football field again I just don’t think it will happen. As many surgeries and extended hospital stays as this poor kid has had to deal with I just don’t see him playing again. If he does by some chance play he will never be anywhere close to the same player. Its only natural to have apprehension about how is leg will hold up, it will mess with his mind he will have a hard time concentrating on what he needs to be doing on the field. He may sing a different song to the media just like every player coming back from an injury, but it will be the same tentative play out of fear to hurting himself again. I hope he has a full and speedy recovery he has been through a lot, I hate it for him but his playing days could be done that’s just the way I see it.