Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Defensive back Kendrick Harper and wide receiver Dexton Fields are expected to play on Saturday against Iowa State in the Big 12 conference opener despite both missing significant time this season because of injuries.
Harper, who was injured in the second game of the season against Louisiana Tech, sustained the more serious injury of the two. The Hartwell, Georgia, native got hurt when he attempted to tackle a Louisiana Tech player. He remained in the game for one play but began losing his eyesight and hurried off to the bench.
“I couldn’t see anything,” Harper said. “I hit No. 6 and then my body just started feeling woozy and stuff. I don’t remember what was going through my head because I was in shock. I couldn’t see anything.”
KANSAN
Harper fell to the ground on the sidelines and was immediately attended to by the teams doctors and trainers. A stretcher was brought out and Harper was strapped down and taken to the hospital with an undisclosed injury. He remained overnight for tests but was released the next day.
“I had a positive attitude about the situation,” Harper said. “I was just hoping all of the tests would come back pretty good. I’m back now. I’m feeling better. I’m just going to continue doing what I do best — just go out and have fun.”
The news of Harper’s return is welcomed by the Kansas defense, which has seen three young cornerbacks all struggle in his absence. Coach Mark Mangino confirmed on Tuesday that Harper and Fields had been practicing and that he planned to have both in the lineup when the Jayhawks take the field in Ames, Iowa, on Saturday.
“It’s the type of thing with Kendrick where you just have to see every day how he responds on the practice field,” Mangino said. “Do we expect him to play? Yes. Do we expect Dexton to play? Yes.”
Fields sustained an injury to his left foot while attempting to catch a pass in the season opener against Florida International on Aug. 30. Fields, who led the Jayhawks in receptions the past two seasons, limped off the field and hasn’t dressed since.
“I’m ready to get back in there,” Fields said. “I’m just thanking God that my injury wasn’t as serious as it could have been. I took a pretty hard fall but I’m back now. It’s been hard sitting back and seeing the team struggle at certain times knowing I can help.”
Fields, who dislocated his pinky against Oklahoma State in 2006 and returned to catch a touchdown later in the game, attempted to get back for the Sam Houston State game but couldn’t. He was forced to sit in the stands with his teammates’ families and watch as the Jayhawks lost to South Florida.
“It felt weird because I hadn’t really seen the games from that perspective in a long time,” Fields said. “I wasn’t waving the wheat, but I was definitely jumping more than I should have been.”
— — Edited by Mary Sorrick
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