Maryland coach Randy Edsall lost his projected starting QB, C.J. Brown, to a torn ACL.
“Injuries are part of the game,” he said Wednesday on a conference call.
While a bad cut, like Brown’s, or a fierce hit can change a team’s fortunes in an instant, the road back is long and gradual.
Several players across the ACC have worked their way back onto the field and into their team’s plans after missing most of last season.
Here are the key body parts to watch in the ACC this year:
- Kenny Tate’s right knee: Maryland’s fifth-year senior linebacker suffered a knee injury -- Tate and the school won’t specify exactly what it was -- after four games last season and needed surgery. He wasn’t even medically cleared to fly by season’s end. Now, Tate can board planes for road games and also is flying around the field as one of the defense's leaders. Other players returning from a knee injury: Miami LB Ramon Buchanan, Clemson LB Tony Steward and Duke DE Kenny Anunike.
- Kaleb Ramsey’s left foot: Boston College’s defensive tackle hurt his foot in the first quarter of the season. He played in part of another game before the team shut him down. The NCAA granted Ramsey a medical redshirt, and the senior is a team captain this year. Other players returning from a foot injury: NC State RB Mustafa Greene and Virginia Tech LBs Bruce Taylor and Jeron Gouveia-Winslow.
- Willie Haulstead’s head: The Florida State WR suffered a concussion during a preseason scrimmage and missed all of last season. Now a junior, Haulstead led the team with six touchdown catches in 2010.
- Dyrell Roberts’ arm: The Virginia Tech WR has missed two out of every three games over the past two years. Last year, he broke his left arm on a kickoff return and missed 11 games. WR isn’t a deep position for the Hokies this year, and the senior, Roberts, is expected to start. Other players returning from arm injuries: Duke C Brian Moore.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from ACC bloggers Shawn Krest and Sean Bielawski, follow @CBSSportsACC.
