There are season-ending injuries... and then there’s what Missouri’s Henry Josey endured Saturday.
In Missouri’s 17-5 win over Texas Saturday, the running back, per the color analyst on Mizzou’s radio broadcast, tore the ACL and MCL as well as the patellar tendon in his left knee. Not only is the true sophomore’s 2011 season done, there will be questions as to whether he’ll be available for all or even part of the 2012 season given the early prognosis.
Perhaps the only sliver of light in this situation is that, as of now, the team will only confirm that he has ruptured a tendon. Regardless, Josey is facing an extensive and arduous rehabilitation as he attempts to recover from such a significant injury.
“I really feel bad for Henry,” head coach Gary Pinkel said shortly after the game. “Obviously, our whole football team does.
“Whatever happens, even if he has to have surgery, or whatever, we’ve got the best people to take care of him and we’ll get him back 100 percent.”
(It should be noted Pinkel’s quotes were made before there was an official determination that the back would need to go surgery to repair the damage.)
Josey came into the game fifth in the country in rushing, averaging 127.7 yards per game, while his 8.6 yards per attempt were good for second behind Houston’s Charles Sims (8.8). Prior to the injury, the back had been held to 19 yards on 11 carries by the Longhorns.
Josey actually began the season as the Tigers’ No. 3 RB, totaling just 15 carries in the first two games. Inserted into the starting lineup in Game 3, however, Josey proceeded to rush for at least 132 yards in six of his seven starts before suffering the devastating injury in his eighth start of the year.