Henry Josey Requires More Surgery, Faurot Field Claims Another Victim

Published: 4^th Apr 12 8:01 pm

by Chris Hengst
College Football and MLB Blogger

1 Rant »

Henry Josey Requires More Surgery, Faurot Field Claims Another Victim

Dak Dillon-US PRESSWIRE

Standout Missouri running back Henry Josey has nearly recovered from his first knee surgery. Unfortunately, he’ll need a second.

As a result of an injury suffered last fall at home against Texas, the Tigers star had to wait until his patella tendon and meniscus healed before undergoing a corrective ACL procedure.

Prior to the misstep, Josey led the Big 12 in rushing and still managed to finish third in the category with 1,168 yards. He did so on 145 carries and notched 9 touchdowns.

With Josey tough to count on in 2012, the labrum tear for quarterback James Franklin heightens in significance. Head coach Gary Pinkel could conceivably begin the inaugural Missouri season in the SEC with backups in the backfield.

It’s more likely Franklin returns to take snaps under center next year but the same can’t be said of Josey.

Ask his coach though and that’s not a huge issue:

“He’s doing very, very well,” Pinkel said. “I always get the question, ‘Will he be able to play this season?’ And my answer is he’s got three years to play two. So, when he’s ready to play, that’s when he’ll play.”

That’s a very school-favored view, Gary. Especially considering it was the cement masquerading as field turf in Columbia that cost him the end of 2011, most of 2012 and perhaps the rest of his career.

In the same November game Josey went down at Faurot Field, Texas running back Fozzy Whittaker also tore his ACL.

The following week, three Texas Tech players (Alex Torres, DeAndre Washington and Lonnie Edwards) left early with knee injuries. It prompted Tommy Tuberville, head coach of the Red Raiders to say the following:

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Tech coach Tommy Tuberville said. “We had three bad knee injuries and a couple of ankle injuries. … We were told that this turf is pretty tough, and it was pretty tough.”

Apparently, facility upgrades at Faurot are in the works and that includes installing new field turf.

It’s not a moment too soon considering past injury issues and perhaps late if you ask Henry Josey and Fozzy Whittaker.

But Gary Pinkel knows his fabulous running back has three years to play two and if that’s good enough for a quick-thinking college head coach, I guess it works for me.

Connect with Rant Sports