Guest Snatchy_McPants Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 Tennessee's Riggs out for season with ankle injuryAssociated Press KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee running back Gerald Riggs Jr. will miss the rest of the season after injuring his right lower leg and ankle. Riggs, the team's top rusher, was hurt in last week's 6-3 loss at Alabama. A statement from the team late Monday said "Riggs definitely will miss the remainder of the 2005 football season." Earlier in the day, coach Phillip Fulmer said he didn't know the extent of the injuries. Doctors were still evaluating Riggs, and officials had no other details about the injuries. Riggs leads the No. 23 Volunteers (3-3, 2-3 SEC) with 530 yards rushing on 127 attempts and ranks seventh in the Southeastern Conference with an average 88.3 yards rushing a game. Riggs has scored three touchdowns. "I'm going to allow the UT Sports Medicine staff and team of orthopedic surgeons to continue directing my care," Riggs said in a statement. "I think that gives me the best opportunity to return successfully from this injury." Riggs, the son of Atlanta Falcons all-time leading rusher, Gerald Riggs Sr., was hurt at the end of a 24-yard run in the fourth quarter when he was tackled and rolled out of bounds. It was his longest run of the season. For the game, he led the team with 68 yards on 18 carries. He was named to the first team All-SEC list in the preseason. Another first-team selection, cornerback Jason Allen, dislocated his hip two weeks ago in the Georgia game and will miss the season. Riggs started every game this season after waiting three years to become Tennessee's main ball carrier. He had 1,107 yards rushing last year while splitting time with Cedric Houston. He ends his college career 13th on Tennessee's all-time rushing list with 1,893 yards. Riggs' backup, redshirt freshman Arian Foster, will likely start Saturday against South Carolina (4-3, 2-3). Meanwhile, starting defensive end Parys Haralson was released from University of Tennessee Medical Center on Monday after spending the night for observation and treatment for a fever and sore throat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Snatchy_McPants Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 Not that I want any team to be less than 100% when we face them, but this is a big development. UT is obviously not an offensive juggernaut, but Riggs is a key player. Also, I'm glad we have a bye week to scout out his replacement before we face him, no surprises there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SirJohn Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 Thanks Snatchy. Non of us wish an injury but one less rusher to worry about. Be interesting to see what game plan Coach Weis has for Tenn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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