Forcier's Shoulder: Probably More Than Bruised Comment Count

Brian

This week's lines just came out. Here's the Michigan-Michigan State one:

10/03 12:00 PM
155 Michigan  
156 Michigan St Big 10 GAME OFF BOARD Michigan-QB-Forcier-Questionable

 
Urgh. Here's why Forcier is questionable:


There's another one if you want it. I watched Forcier go off the field holding his arm awkwardly. It may be bruised heavily. It may be sprained. According to one long-time poster who ran into him Saturday night, it's the latter:

…he said he has a AC joint sprain and a big bruise. He said he injured himself like this before in high school and he couldn't throw until Friday of that week.

He was in obvious pain and wouldn't shake anyones hand with his right arm. We'll see, but its a little more serious than just a "bruise". That being said, he looked fine throwing the ball on that last TD pass to Odoms.

1577 points and more than a year registered. This is not a drive-by.

Sprains can be weird; you can operate with them okay immediately afterwards only to wake up the next day virtually unable to move the joint because of all the swelling. Forcier's touchdown to Odoms is no assurance he'll be fine for next week. Medical-talkin' guys on the internet on AC joint sprains:

If you don't need surgery, range-of-motion exercises should be started as pain eases, followed by a program of strengthening. At first, exercises are done with the arm kept below shoulder level. The program advances to include strength exercises for the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles. In most cases, the pain goes away almost completely within three weeks. Full recovery can take up to six weeks for grade two separations and up to 12 weeks for grade three separations. Since there is little danger of making the condition worse, you can usually do whatever activities you can tolerate.

Given the lack of concern expressed by both Rodriguez and Forcier in the aftermath of the Indiana game, it's probably a Grade 1 AC joint sprain that isn't a huge deal. The above link indicates that treatment for these sorts of injuries is "pain medications and a short period of rest using a shoulder sling." Don't expect Forcier to do any throwing most of the week; do expect his name on Thursday's injury report, probably as, yes, "questionable."

I bet he at least gives it a go. If there's no chance playing with it makes the thing worse, he can take a painkilling injection and be okay. There's some probability he's noticeably affected by it, though, and we should expect to see more Denard Robinson.

Comments

BlueGoM

September 27th, 2009 at 10:28 PM ^

It sounds like Tate will be able to play, probably. But if Tate can't go then it's going to have to be the DRob show on Saturday. Maybe if he gets a couple long runs in, early, Sparty will go into full blown meltdown mode....

Blue boy johnson

September 27th, 2009 at 7:00 PM ^

You need to get off this blog and study, so you got some time to watch the Tigers during the week.

Not surprised about Brian's eval of Tate, Kid was in serious pain and arm just a hangin

formerlyanonymous

September 27th, 2009 at 7:24 PM ^

I had the grade two (didn't warrant surgery) sprain while at Michigan. The pain was immense. I woke up hung over with what felt like a knife in my shoulder every time I moved it. When I checked my computer, I saw some seething IM's I sent while in pain and black out. Apparently as soon as the adrenaline of wrestling wore off, the pain got plenty worse.

Took two weeks in a sling before I could even lift anything more than 10 lbs over my shoulder. It still pulls a little bit whenever I try to throw a baseball or football. The joint between my humorous on shoulder actually dropped a little less than a centimeter.

EDIT: I've also had a mild first degree on my left shoulder, and that was much more mild, although I don't use the left as often, making it less noticeable. I was "normal" with the left hand within a week and a half.

MichiganStudent

September 27th, 2009 at 7:30 PM ^

Ya I had a grade 3 separated shoulder and agree that the pain is very intense and debilitating. Its not one of those injuries you can really play with, at least not at my level of severity. I don't know how a grade 1 separation feels, but if its even remotely close to the pain I felt then we will be without Tate for at least a few games.

blueheron

September 27th, 2009 at 7:27 PM ^

Psychologically, starting Denard might be effective against MSU. Why do I say that? They're emotionally volatile (historically, at least), and seeing DR out there might result in a letdown for an already shaky defense. I can dream, anyway.

jrt336

September 27th, 2009 at 7:51 PM ^

At least Denard will have most of the week to practice with the ones, if Tate isn't going to play. He'll need to step it up big time if he starts.

UMxWolverines

September 27th, 2009 at 8:16 PM ^

shat. i hope he can play against msu, BUT if it isn't better by friday, don't let him play. we don't want the same thing to happen to him that happened to chad. if he can't play hopefully denard can really show the spartans what their profession is.

oakapple

September 27th, 2009 at 8:21 PM ^

It is hard to imagine Robinson in there the whole game. There seems to be an awful lot of the playbook that he can't execute reliably. I mean no disrespect to Robinson, but Sparty will put 7 or 8 in the box and make Denard prove he is a passing threat.

Sheridan sees the field.

oakapple

September 27th, 2009 at 10:03 PM ^

Robinson is obviously more of a pure talent than Sheridan, but so far he is too predictable. So Sparty will assume the keeper on every down, and make Robinson prove he can beat it consistently. I am not yet sure that he can.

If we take Rodriguez at his word, Sheridan has more command of the whole offense, although with less of the physical skills to execute it. He operates at a lower level than Forcier, but the defense can't assume he'll keep it on every down. Indeed, for Sheridan the keeper is probably the least attractive option.

Believe me, I am not pining for Sheridan. Far from it. I am just saying that I don't think Robinson can run the offense for 60 minutes.

tomhagan

September 27th, 2009 at 8:22 PM ^

Denard is at least as effective of a thrower as Nick Sheridan, if not a little bit better (though not that great at this point) and his legs are considerably better.

Time to dust off the old Pat White style playbook, play running ball with some short passes mixed in... take an occasional shot downfield and hope for the best.

Bigdaddyblue

September 27th, 2009 at 8:25 PM ^

I had a grade 1 in my Left shoulder about 10 years ago(I am left handed) and while it was very tender and sore,it did not really limit me,on the other hand I had a grade 3 in my right 3 years ago (no surgery) and it was useless for 10 weeks,4-5 months until I could use it normally,and it still flares up occasionally!

mr plow

September 27th, 2009 at 10:18 PM ^

I don't know much, but it seems like the play calling with Denard in there has been a bit one dimensional. Most of the plays are catch the snap (maybe) then run like the wind. They should be working the option read more like when Tate is in to keep the defense guessing a little bit. I'll still be scared if Tate doesn't see the field, but we wouldn't necessarily be screwed, especially if the running backs keep tearing it up.

BTW who was the gomer that thought slapping Tate on the shoulder was a good idea...what a putz.

kman23

September 28th, 2009 at 4:12 AM ^

First off, can we come up with a new name for the "Wildcat"? Robinson is a QB (sort of) so its not a true Wildcat. It's more of a Kordell Stewart "slash" thing.

But my main point for this is if Forcier cannot go, is there any chance we could see Michigan do what the Dolphins did against the Colts last week? Could we see a Wildcat formation 80% of the game and just run 5 plays out of it?

1. QB keep (what Robinson does a lot of)
2. Hand off to RB
3. Hand off to WR
4. Bubble Screen
5. Fake bubble screen and throw to same side WR up field

It isn't an ideal situation but I think it would give us more of a chance to win then opening the full playbook up to Robinson.

P.S. If Sheridan comes in I might turn off the TV

tomhagan

September 28th, 2009 at 4:46 AM ^

dont forget the little reverse action thing where every now and then its a real reverse... you could also throw out of that...or have Carlos Brown throw a HB option pass....

crazy...i know, hopefully it wont be that desperate of a situation.

The ideal situation would be for DRob to run around and if in trouble do a little dump pass like Vince Young did against us in the Rose Bowl...that was maddening to try and stop!