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[SIZE=+1]Wrist surgery will put premature end to senior's college career[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]10:20 PM CDT on Monday, October 8, 2007
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]By CHUCK CARLTON / The Dallas Morning News
ccarlton@***BANNED-URL*** [/SIZE] AUSTIN – The pain kept reminding Limas Sweed that all was not well in his left wrist.
After six games, the senior receiver decided he couldn't continue any longer with the injury he suffered during preseason drills.
Sweed, the sixth-leading receiver in Texas history, will undergo season-ending surgery to repair ligament damage in the wrist, the school announced Monday.
Texas, which has started 0-2 in the Big 12 South, loses a player who commanded double coverage despite the injury. Sweed averaged 33.3 yards on his 20 career touchdowns. Last season, he tied Roy Williams' school record with touchdown catches in seven consecutive games.
"I knew it was an injury I would be dealing with going into the season, and I did everything I could to play through the pain and help the team," Sweed said in a statement released by the university. "I've aggravated it a couple of times and again last week and have probably been in more pain than I let anybody know."
With Sweed limited to 19 catches this season, Nate Jones (36 receptions) and Quan Cosby (31 receptions) have taken on bigger offensive roles. Tight end Jermichael Finley could be an emerging playmaker, with four catches for 149 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's loss to Oklahoma.
Billy Pittman, who missed the first three games with a suspension, and Jordan Shipley have been in the receiver rotation. Freshmen Brandon Collins and James Kirkendoll might also move up.
But Sweed's loss will be felt, even though he will remain with the team following the surgery, coach Mack Brown said.
"We've been very fortunate to have Limas for the past four years," Brown said in a statement. "He's made a lot of great plays and had a record-setting career at Texas."
The surgery will help Sweed recover in time for the NFL draft, Brown said.
Sweed was considered a possible first-day draft pick before deciding to return to Texas for his senior year.
Even before the announcement late Monday afternoon, offensive coordinator Greg Davis noted Sweed's struggles.
The injury caused Sweed to miss the final two offensive series against Oklahoma. He finished with two receptions for 25 yards.
"I felt bad for Limas," Davis said. "He's trying to play hurt. A lot of times he gets caught in situations ... a lot of times it's the way he falls on the ground."
The decision to have surgery was made following further evaluation.
"Since the injury has become more symptomatic and limiting, it has led us to recommend that he undergo surgery to repair it," team physician Dr. Carey Windler said in a statement.
Limas Sweed's year-by-year statistics at Texas:
Year G Rec. Yds. Avg. TD
2004 11 23 263 11.4 0
2005 13 36 545 15.1 5
2006 13 46 801 17.4 12
2007 6 19 306 16.1 3
Career 43 124 1,915 15.4 20
====
Well this sucks, but at least now Rack can find another anti-bandwagon to hop on.
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]By CHUCK CARLTON / The Dallas Morning News
ccarlton@***BANNED-URL*** [/SIZE] AUSTIN – The pain kept reminding Limas Sweed that all was not well in his left wrist.
After six games, the senior receiver decided he couldn't continue any longer with the injury he suffered during preseason drills.
Sweed, the sixth-leading receiver in Texas history, will undergo season-ending surgery to repair ligament damage in the wrist, the school announced Monday.
Texas, which has started 0-2 in the Big 12 South, loses a player who commanded double coverage despite the injury. Sweed averaged 33.3 yards on his 20 career touchdowns. Last season, he tied Roy Williams' school record with touchdown catches in seven consecutive games.
"I knew it was an injury I would be dealing with going into the season, and I did everything I could to play through the pain and help the team," Sweed said in a statement released by the university. "I've aggravated it a couple of times and again last week and have probably been in more pain than I let anybody know."
With Sweed limited to 19 catches this season, Nate Jones (36 receptions) and Quan Cosby (31 receptions) have taken on bigger offensive roles. Tight end Jermichael Finley could be an emerging playmaker, with four catches for 149 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's loss to Oklahoma.
Billy Pittman, who missed the first three games with a suspension, and Jordan Shipley have been in the receiver rotation. Freshmen Brandon Collins and James Kirkendoll might also move up.
But Sweed's loss will be felt, even though he will remain with the team following the surgery, coach Mack Brown said.
"We've been very fortunate to have Limas for the past four years," Brown said in a statement. "He's made a lot of great plays and had a record-setting career at Texas."
The surgery will help Sweed recover in time for the NFL draft, Brown said.
Sweed was considered a possible first-day draft pick before deciding to return to Texas for his senior year.
Even before the announcement late Monday afternoon, offensive coordinator Greg Davis noted Sweed's struggles.
The injury caused Sweed to miss the final two offensive series against Oklahoma. He finished with two receptions for 25 yards.
"I felt bad for Limas," Davis said. "He's trying to play hurt. A lot of times he gets caught in situations ... a lot of times it's the way he falls on the ground."
The decision to have surgery was made following further evaluation.
"Since the injury has become more symptomatic and limiting, it has led us to recommend that he undergo surgery to repair it," team physician Dr. Carey Windler said in a statement.
Limas Sweed's year-by-year statistics at Texas:
Year G Rec. Yds. Avg. TD
2004 11 23 263 11.4 0
2005 13 36 545 15.1 5
2006 13 46 801 17.4 12
2007 6 19 306 16.1 3
Career 43 124 1,915 15.4 20
====
Well this sucks, but at least now Rack can find another anti-bandwagon to hop on.
