HARRISONBURG - Quarterback Justin Thorpe, a talented redshirt freshman who has been battling Drew Dudzik for the starting job at James Madison University, injured his right shoulder throwing a pass during Wednesday afternoon's football practice at Bridgeforth Stadium.
JMU coach Mickey Matthews said Thorpe will go to the University of Virginia Medical Center today for a "precautionary" MRI.
"We think it's fine," Matthews said. "It's a little stiff."
Sophomore defensive tackle Max Alexandre ran into Thorpe as the quarterback - who was wearing a red jersey, which is designed to ward off contact from teammates - stepped up to throw a pass. He collapsed to the ground, then walked to the sideline with a trainer while Matthews erupted in a tirade against Alexandre, screaming, "Don't do it. Don't ever do it."
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Thorpe did not return to practice and Dudzik - the more experienced of the two QB candidates - took the rest of the snaps with the first-team offense.
Thorpe came out of the locker room after practice and threw a number of long passes to cornerback Taveion Cuffee, but he was clearly in discomfort. Thorpe declined a request for an interview as he walked back into the locker room, saying only, "I'm going to get X-rays."
Overzealous non starters trying to make hay on scout teams referred to as "All Americans" in my day, and after pulling stunt as described needed very little admonishment by coaching staff, the team handles doofus acts like this.
What the fuck is wrong our dumbass defenders? Some dumbass walk-on knocking out Scotty on a return and now this fucking dumbass? Hasn't Matthews beat it into this team NOT to touch our skill players? They're going to be hurting enough without these dumb fucks hurting them in practice. Dumbasses, all around.
Justin Thorpe was back in his pads and red jersey, and on the turf Friday at James Madison.
Thorpe's status had been in question after he left Wednesday's scrimmage with a shoulder injury.
Coach Mickey Matthews said Friday that Thorpe, a redshirt freshman competing with junior Drew Dudzik for JMU's starting quarterback position, had suffered a "tiny, tiny tear" in his throwing shoulder.
HARRISONBURG - James Madison redshirt freshman quarterback Justin Thorpe returned to football practice Friday, two days after injuring his right shoulder.
Thorpe did not throw any passes Friday, though that was "just a precaution," JMU coach Mickey Matthews said. Matthews said an MRI of Thorpe's shoulder revealed a "tiny tear in the labrum." Matthews said the injury should not affect Thorpe during the season.
"The medical people tell me there is a tiny tear in labrum," Matthews said. "If they did an MRI on everyone on the team, everyone would have several tiny tears. It's something minimal. It shouldn't be a problem this year."
Thorpe left Bridgeforth Stadium without talking to the media.
I'm assuming it's a SLAP tear... hopefully it is minor and can heal on its own. But if they keep playing him, it could get worse, especially if he's hit while throwing again.
I'm assuming it's a SLAP tear... hopefully it is minor and can heal on its own. But if they keep playing him, it could get worse, especially if he's hit while throwing again.
Well good. I see this only being an issue if he wins out against Dudzik, but for now, good.
