Injury news not good for NU football team
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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Nebraska appears to have lost a couple key backup defenders to serious knee injuries. Sophomore middle linebacker Phillip Dillard, who enjoyed a strong preseason camp, suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament during Saturday’s season-opening triumph over Louisiana Tech, the player’s guardian confirmed Sunday.
In addition, Husker senior cornerback Isaiah Fluellen, a converted wideout who worked his way to No. 2 on the season-opening depth chart, also suffered what is believed to be a major knee injury Saturday, although nothing was official Sunday.
The 6-foot-1, 255-pound Dillard, of Tulsa, Okla., played as a true freshman in 2005 and opened the 2006 season Saturday with four tackles in Nebraska’s 49-10 win. He played in two regular-downs series, his most extensive action as a Husker. He suffered his injury on the kickoff following I-back Marlon Lucky’s second-quarter touchdown run that pushed NU’s lead to 14-3.
“The good thing is, it happened early in the season, and he can still use his redshirt season,” said Dillard’s guardian, Tyrone Lynne. “It may actually end up working out for the better. Obviously, Phillip feels bad. The good thing is, he had an excellent fall camp and then showed the coaches he could do it in a game.”
Dillard was listed No. 2 on the depth chart behind junior Corey McKeon, a two-year starter. Dillard hopes to return in time for spring practice in March. He’ll have three seasons of playing eligibility left.
Meanwhile, Fluellen injured his left knee in Saturday’s second quarter and barely was able to make it to the sideline. The 6-foot, 190-pound speedster, who made 28 receptions in three seasons as a wideout, made the move to cornerback Aug. 7, two days after senior starter Zackary Bowman suffered a season-ending torn ACL.
Fluellen redshirted in 2002. If his injury is indeed season-ending, he would be able to apply for a medical hardship and perhaps return to the field in 2007.
Junior Cortney Grixby, playing with a hard cast to protect a broken thumb, entered this season as the only Nebraska cornerback with starting experience. Junior college transfer Andre Jones made his first career start Saturday opposite of Grixby.
Fluellen was listed behind Jones on the depth chart. Other backup corners prominent in the mix are juniors Titus Brothers and Tyrell Spain (also a converted wideout), as well as true freshmen Anthony West and Corey Young.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
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