Conner 'Not Quite' Ready To Return, Pitt RB Coach Says, LINK!

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

Pitt running backs coach Andre Powell said James Conner is eager to return to practice, but doctors have not told him that the surgically repaired MCL in his right knee is sufficiently healed.


“He is getting antsy,” Powell said. “My advice to him is, ‘Just do what the doctors tell you to do.' They know more about it than we do.


“If they tell you, ‘You're ready,' we'll proceed. If they tell you, ‘You're not,' just do what they say.”


Conner, the reigning ACC Offensive Player of the Year, tore the MCL in the second quarter of the opener against Youngstown State. At the time, coach Pat Narduzzi said Conner, who rushed for 1,765 yards last season, would miss the rest of the season.


Narduzzi admitted in subsequent weeks that Conner could be ready for the last “couple games.” But he said it would be risky and would leave the decision to Conner.


For the past two weeks, Conner has gone through calisthentics with teammates, without a helmet or pads. He spends the rest of the time working with trainers and strength coaches. He also attends Powell's running backs meetings.


“(Doctors) tell me he's a certain percentage,” Powell said. “When they say he's 100, then I'm ready to have him back.”


Asked if they have given him the go-ahead, Powell said, “Not quite.”


Pitt has three games remaining in the regular season, starting Saturday at Duke.

Jerry DiPaola is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at jdipaola@tribweb.com or via Twitter @JDiPaola_Tri

 

[Panthertag]

This is stupid if they let him play this year.

 

[sipesbryan]

This is stupid if they let him play this year.

Agree 100%!!!! Sounds like he is so antsy that it will even put pressure on the doctors at this point. When someone is this persistent he will ignore all signs that something isn't quite right and risk it. It would be awful to watch him return for a game and make some plays only to go down after a big hit or a big cut. He needs to sit. At this point if we don't win the coastal nothing really matters. We've all seen that Narduzzi and staff are heading in the right direction. This year has been a step forward regardless of the finish.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

This is stupid if they let him play this year.

If he's 100 percent for Miami and UNC has a loss by then, he should play to try to win the Coastal. UNC can lose in Raleigh the next day.

 

[rpost3]

The only people who know when he's 100% or not are Conner and his surgeon.
LOL at "his doctor is feeling pressured." Apparently you don't know any orthos.

 

[Consultant Panther]

Agree 100%!!!! Sounds like he is so antsy that it will even put pressure on the doctors at this point. When someone is this persistent he will ignore all signs that something isn't quite right and risk it. It would be awful to watch him return for a game and make some plays only to go down after a big hit or a big cut. He needs to sit. At this point if we don't win the coastal nothing really matters. We've all seen that Narduzzi and staff are heading in the right direction. This year has been a step forward regardless of the finish.

UPMC has some of the best orthopedic surgeons in the country. They will not be pressured into clearing him before he's ready. That's just absurd.

 

[sipesbryan]

UPMC has some of the best orthopedic surgeons in the country. They will not be pressured into clearing him before he's ready. That's just absurd.

They will however put him through tests. The is obviously very fit. He will be asked if he has any discomfort with various ranges of motion. He simply says no. They don't hook him up to a lie detector test.

 

[Consultant Panther]

They will however put him through tests. The is obviously very fit. He will be asked if he has any discomfort with various ranges of motion. He simply says no. They don't hook him up to a lie detector test.

They know that he's fit and what to look for! They are experts at dealing with this kind of thing. They know to expect that kids want to get back and will lie about how they feel. I have some first hand experience with this, because my daughter (a D1 softball player) had 2 ACL replacements done by Dr. Fu. I believe that Conner's surgery was done by another doctor, but I'd imagine they all share the same philosophy. Dr. Fu is almost obsessed with preventing athletes from returning too early. Every time we see him, he gives examples of athletes that re-injured themselves, because they returned too early.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

Conner was a very smart recruit and became a great player and a superb example of a Great Pitt Alumnus!

Conner and his Parents and his NFL Advisers, UPMC Doctors, and Coaches will have input and no one can have a better evaluation and decision making process in trusting himself and his professionals!

I am just pleased he is recovering nicely and want him to be successful all of his life and thank him for his service to his University, Team, and Family! Conner brought much joy to Pitt Fans just watching him play his heart out and is a credit to CFB!

Pitt is proud to have educated such a superb person, athlete, and future graduate and Conner's actions demonstrate to everyone why Pitt Is It!

 

[Pittx9]

There's no way anyone is gonna convince him not to play if he's cleared in the next week or two.

 

[crharris8892]

I'm in the camp that he should just get to 100% and prepare for the draft. I admire his determination but its just not wise, unless they took out a couple million dollar insurance policy

 

[pittfan67]

Fu is obsessed with not allowing athletes to return early, but don't ask Barry Foster for a reference on Fu.

 

[WCSordill]

Fu is obsessed with not allowing athletes to return early, but don't ask Barry Foster for a reference on Fu.

So what's the rest of that story?

 

[dooz3]

If he's 100 percent for Miami and UNC has a loss by then, he should play to try to win the Coastal. UNC can lose in Raleigh the next day.

Again you too stupid.....