FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Quarterback D.J. Shockley tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the fourth quarter Friday night at Buffalo and will miss the 2007 season. Head Coach Bobby Petrino said the former University of Georgia star, who was entering his second pro season will be placed on injured reserve.
Shockley spoke to the media Monday afternoon, saying he’s frustrated by the injury but ready to do whatever he can to help the team and his development.
“It’s very disappointing, especially when you get in a situation where you feel like you’re doing good and going out doing everything possible to try and help the team,” Shockley said. “Things were going well. For this to happen the way it did is very disappointing. It’s one of those things you get down about but it happens for a reason. You never know the reason for it, but God did it for a reason and you just have to move on.”
Shockley also suffered a partial tear of the medial cruciate ligament and a bone bruise.
The injury is particularly painful to Shockley considering his performance late in the game. He completed four of five passes for 46 yards and rushed three times for 18 yards before the ordeal, including a scramble for a first down that ended with the ligament tear.
“Certainly I liked the way D.J. played,” Petrino said. “It’s hard to see that injury happen. It’s something where he’s going to end up having surgery and going on (injured reserve). It’s unfortunate because he was playing very well. He was moving the team; he was competing and doing all the things we were asking him to do. That’s always a tough one to have happen.”
Shockley, who served as the team’s No. 3 quarterback last season, said he knew his injury was severe the moment he planted his foot and fell toward the ground.
“I’ve replayed it countless times,” he said. “I’ve seen it in my head. I was actually watching the replay of the game and right before that play happened I just turned the channel... It’s a play that will probably haunt me for a while until I physically get back. Right now it’s something I just don’t want to see.
“I’ve made that cut 40 or 50 times in my life and never thought anything of it... Once I hit the ground I knew I wasn’t getting up. I knew it was a situation where it was going to be worse than I probably ever imagined. I knew once I made the cut it was a bad thing that happened.”
The Falcons now have three quarterbacks on the roster – starter Joey Harrington, Casey Bramlet, who won World Bowl MVP honors last season and five-year veteran Chris Redman, who returned to the game Friday in place of Shockley and threw a game-winning touchdown pass to tight end George Cooper.
The three increased their reps Monday but kept Shockley top of mind.
“Everybody has to kind of pick up the slack a little bit,” Harrington said. “It was just a fluke deal and we’re all praying for a speedy recovery. He’s such a great guy in the short time I’ve had to know him. I’ve been unbelievably impressed not only by his poise and his attitude but his willingness to learn. It’s a shame for that to happen at this time of the season.”
Petrino said the team’s personnel department will evaluate options and see “what might come available.” When asked if the team will bring in another quarterback the coach said it was “too early to tell.”
For now, Redman is listed as the team’s No. 2 quarterback.
“I think Chris has shown he’s a very accurate passer,” Petrino said. “When he’s in his rhythm he can distribute the ball (and) get the ball to the playmakers on time. He’s got to do a little bit better job when the protection flashes in front of him -- or moves in front of him -- in keeping his focus down field and not making the big mistake.”
Shockley plans to do everything possible to make himself an attractive option at the position next season.
“I kind of made a pact with myself going into that second (preseason) game, regardless of when I got in the game or situation of the game, I was going to go out and put my best foot forward," he said. "... I felt like I had a great week of practice. Everything was starting to click and I think that drive was kind of giving me confidence back.
“Every time there’s a bad situation you have to find some good in it. When I got hurt at Georgia I knew it was a time where it can help me get better mentally. There’s not a lot you can do physically on the field, but you can do plenty of things mentally.”
ELLIOT SIDELINED: Wide receiver Jamin Elliott also suffered a knee injury against the Bills that will require surgery. Petrino said the receiver is getting a second opinion. Elliott injured his right knee with about 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
RETURN TO ACTION: Tight end Alge Crumpler returned to practice Monday. The Pro Bowler, who had knee surgery earlier in the offseason, was limited by some pain late in training camp.
Running back Warrick Dunn continued his rehab from back surgery by taking part in Monday’s entire workout.
“Warrick, for the first time, went through the entire practice and took a significant amount of reps,” Petrino said. "He’ll probably be a little sore and we’ll probably cut him back a little bit tomorrow.”
Dunn took more reps because second-year runner Jerious Norwood is still fighting an infection that kept him out of practice and Friday’s win at Buffalo.
“Jerious is getting better,” Petrino said. “It’s a situation where as soon as they clear him he’ll be back out on the practice field. He felt good over the weekend. He felt good today. He just has to wait for a couple of the test to be exactly where (doctors) want them and hopefully he’ll be out there by Thursday in preparation for the Cincinnati game.”
