Slauson May Miss Opener

[huskerguy]

Slauson may miss opener

By STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star

Saturday, Aug 18, 2007 - 03:55:16 pm CDT

 

Nebraska offensive guard Matt Slauson maneuvered through a crowd while holding his left arm gingerly during Fan Day festivities Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

 

Turns out, he was being careful for a reason.

 

Slauson, a preseason All-Big 12 selection by league media, injured his left shoulder during Friday’s practice, jeopardizing his status for Nebraska’s Sept. 1 season opener against Nevada. Slauson will have the injury re-evaluated Sunday by team doctors, said Husker offensive line coach Dennis Wagner.

 

“It’s the type of injury that’s seven days to 14 days,” Wagner said Saturday. “At this point, we told him that you have to prepare every day physically to stay on the (stationary) bike and that kind of stuff. We’ll make the decision game week if we’re going to use him or not.”

 

It appears to be the first injury of Nebraska’s preseason camp that could keep a player out of the opener.

 

The 6-foot-5, 335-pound Slauson, a junior from Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday brushed off reporters inquiring about his injury. Wagner said Slauson was hurt during a full-scale scrimmage part of Friday’s practice.

 

“He got himself in a situation where his arm was outside of his body and he tore up his shoulder,” the coach said.

 

As of late Saturday morning, it didn’t appear to be an injury that would require surgery, Wagner said.

 

After starting 11 games last season at right tackle, Slauson moved to right guard this past spring. In 2005, as a true freshman, Slauson was a regular on the Huskers’ extra-point and field-goal units before starting the final three games at right tackle.

 

Fortunately for the Huskers, they are well-stocked with guards. The leading candidates to fill in for Slauson would be junior Mike Huff, redshirt freshman Keith Williams, sophomore Jacob Hickman or senior Jordan Picou. Huff started 13 games at right guard last season, and Hickman started once. Williams is regarded as a future standout.

 

“You just have to get the best guys out there,” Wagner said.

 

Wagner said Nebraska’s vastly improved depth cushions the blow of the potential loss of one of Nebraska’s top linemen and best players, period.

 

“The person it’s hard for is Matt, because Matt’s the guy that’s going to be missing (practice),” Wagner said. “When he comes back, he’ll have to get that spot back because all these other guys are waiting. That’s what you want. I mean, in 1994 and 1995, when Nebraska had a great group of (linemen), if somebody couldn’t be there, the next guy would step up and take the spot. And then you’d have to come back and win the battle.”

 

Briefly

 

Junior I-back Cody Glenn, who has missed seven straight practices with a hamstring injury, said Saturday he probably won’t practice Sunday. His status is day to day, Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan said . . . An estimated 7,000 fans materialized for Fan Day.

[BigWillie]

So he has an injury, but they are not releasing what type of injury it is, as just eluding to the fact it is a shoulder injury? Hmmm.

 

If Slaus cannot go, I'd like to see Keith get the start. Would be nice to get the youngster in on some game experience and see if the hype around him is warranted.

[hoyamannn]

Sounds like he'll be out for Nevada for sure, return for Wake Forest.

[husker rob]

So he has an injury, but they are not releasing what type of injury it is, as just eluding to the fact it is a shoulder injury? Hmmm.

 

If Slaus cannot go, I'd like to see Keith get the start. Would be nice to get the youngster in on some game experience and see if the hype around him is warranted.

williams will get alot of game experience this year. with the depth and as good as the back-ups appear to be Wags will be rotating them alot to keep them fresh just like the d-line

[westgatehusker]

not a big deal as long as it doesn't linger. He's not really needed for the Neveda game.

[BIGREDIOWAN]

Just as long as he doesn't try to come back to fast I think he'll be fine. Shoulder injuries are a pain in the arse though.

[skersOVRsc]

He needs to sit out as long as it takes for his shoulder to heal, its gonna be a long season full of tough teams we will actually need him for.

[huskernumerouno]

He needs to sit out as long as it takes for his shoulder to heal, its gonna be a long season full of tough teams we will actually need him for.