FWST/DMN Blog: Hodge will play...struggles in practice

[WoodysGirl]

September 01, 2009

Hodge will play

Stephen Hodge has a big game staring him in the face. The sixth-round pick out of TCU has hardly been on the field since training camp started. He injured his knee -- he doesn't know how -- during OTAs in May. He has been hobbled since. Hodge has played in one game. So he knows this week is big for him if he is going to make the final 53-player roster.

"I feel like if I go out and just play like I play and play Friday and play well, I think I’ll make it," Hodge said Tuesday.

He was helped by the injury to Jason Williams, which leaves the Cowboys thin at inside linebacker.

-- Charean Williams

Posted at 01:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I wonder if this guy will turn into another justin beriault.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

i really like this player.....wish him the best on Friday

 

[big dog cowboy]

hboy:

 

[BAT]

I wonder if this guy will turn into another justin beriault.

Minus the degenerative leg issues I hope.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

It'll be great if Hodge and Jason Williams turn out to be keepers. We haven't had much luck with this draft class so far.

 

[31smackdown]

From the few clips I did see of him, he looks like an aggressive player, which this team certainly needs and would probably be an instant special teams impact if healthy.

 

[Doctor32]

September 01, 2009

Hodge will play

Stephen Hodge has a big game staring him in the face. The sixth-round pick out of TCU has hardly been on the field since training camp started. He injured his knee -- he doesn't know how -- during OTAs in May. He has been hobbled since. Hodge has played in one game. So he knows this week is big for him if he is going to make the final 53-player roster.

"I feel like if I go out and just play like I play and play Friday and play well, I think I’ll make it," Hodge said Tuesday.

He was helped by the injury to Jason Williams, which leaves the Cowboys thin at inside linebacker.

-- Charean Williams

Posted at 01:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Dude! I want this guy on the 53. I think he's going to be really good for a really long time on Special Teams. It's almost like having a bigger, faster, stronger Keith Davis.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Dang it... Wade is saying right now that he had a setback today. Said he was moving well with Britt (the trainer) before but was very sore today.

Wade also said when he has practiced, he's done very well... Recognized things as quick as anyone and was physical. They also know he'll do well on special teams. It's just a matter of if his knee can get or stay healthy.

 

[Big Dakota]

Yep, said he couldn't play if the game was today. Wade's worried abut him long term and short term. Just hasn't been healthy enough to make the 53 imo.

 

[WoodysGirl]

DMN
Stephen Hodge struggles in return to practice
4:23 PM Tue, Sep 01, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon/Blogger Bio | E-mail | News tips

Sixth-round ILB Stephen Hodge hasn't been able to stay on the field since he came back from off-season knee surgery.

Wade Phillips was optimistic that Hodge would be able to practice all week and play in the preseason finale. That was before today's practice.

"I'm still concerned with him - long range certainly, but short range now," Phillips said. "He was running well with (associate athletic trainer Britt Brown) and moving well, and then today he took a step back, it looked like. We'll see how he is tomorrow, but it's a concern with him as far as being able to play."

Hodge has shown flashes of potential during his brief time on the practice field. Phillips has seen enough to call the TCU product an instinctive, tough player. The Cowboys were counting on him to be an impact special teams player.

But Hodge, who has played in only one preseason game, might not have a chance to prove that he merits a spot on the 53-man roster. With fellow rookie ILB Jason Williams expected to miss four to six weeks with a high ankle sprain, it'd be tough for the Cowboys to carry Hodge on the roster if he's not ready to play immediately.

"This is the worst timing possible that you can ever imagine," Hodge said. "The fact that you're working your dream and then you get here and then you get injured. When you've never been injured, it's hard to adjust to. It's real frustrating, super frustrating."


Comments (1) Leave comment | E-mail entry

 

[Woods]

Looks more and more like we're going to put him on IR, IMO.

Really stinks for Hodge.

 

[WoodysGirl]

FWST Blog
Hodge setback

Rookie linebacker Stephen Hodge's left knee just won't quit giving him problems. After a good day Monday, Hodge took a step back on Tuesday, coach Wade Phillips said. Hodge had his left knee drained for a third time since he had arthroscopic surgery prior to training camp. Hodge planned to play in Friday's final preseason game, having missed games already, but Phillips said that desire is in jeopardy for the former TCU standout.

Phillips said he didn't Hodge would have been able to play in a game today.

"I'm still concerned with him as far as long-range, certainly, but short-range right now," Phillips said. "Today he took a step back it looked like. We'll see how he is tomorrow, but it's a concern with him as far as being able to play."

Hodge has played in just one preseason game. When he's been able to practice, Phillips said they've liked what they've seen. The problem is he missed a large chunk of training camp in San Antonio and has been in and out since.

"The few times we've put him in there, he's very instinctive and he's very tough," Phillips said. "We did goal-line period in San Antonio and he came in there and blew them up and recognized the plays about as quickly as anybody we had, or more so probably. He's shown some good things, but he just hasn't been out there. I think we know he'll be a viable player on special teams if he gets the opportunity. But, we don't know injury-wise."

Jeff Caplan





Posted at 04:32 PM in Dallas Cowboys | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

 

[Screw The Hall]

If you are worried about him long term, then its time to shut him down and let the kid get healthy.

 

[hendog]

Looks more and more like we're going to put him on IR, IMO.

Really stinks for Hodge.

I at least hope thats the worst case. I hope they don't cut him.

 

[TheSport78]

This draft class is not looking solid at all...except Buehler of course.

 

[CF74]

Give him time to heal:bang2:

 

[Bluefin]

I hoped Stephen Hodge would become the Silver Bullet of our special teams.

But the knee just doesn't seem to want to heal up and be happy.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Big Dakota]

If you are worried about him long term, then its time to shut him down and let the kid get healthy.

I agree.

 

[2much2soon]

This guy has to worry about injuries preventing him from getting a roster spot, at a position he excels at.

Yet Stanback got to stick around for at least 3 years while he was injured and trying to learn a position no one knew he could even play.