For the first time in over a month, injured Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford spoke to the media.
While he shed a little more light on the situation with his throwing shoulder, there is still no indication one way or the other which way his status will go for Saturday’s game against Baylor. The reigning Heisman winner did indicate that he’s received clearance from the doctors, but it’ll be up to the coaching staff to pull the trigger on his return.
“To be honest, I don’t know,” Bradford said when asked if the decision to play or not will be his. “I think I have a big percentage of that decision, but I think overall the coaches are gonna have to watch the way I practice this week. Ultimately, they’ll probably decide if they feel like I’m ready, if I can help this football team win this week.”
Bradford also hinted that, medically, these next couple of days, with more work and stress being put on the shoulder, will be key to not only possibly playing, but to keep the medical clearance.
“I guess I’m clear,” Bradford said. “It really just has to go through the week without any excess soreness after throwing. That’s the big deal. I have to be able to make it through a week without taking any steps back. So as long as that happens, then the doctors are fine.”
With Texas looming on the very near horizon the weekend after next, Bradford thinks it would be important to get some real game action in before facing the No. 2 team in the country, saying he’s “talked to coach (Josh) Heupel about. To get a game under my belt before Texas would definitely be beneficial to me and for our offense.”
In another mildly surprising twist to this month-long saga, Bradford admitted that he may have to undergo surgery following the season to repair any lingering damage in the shoulder.
What a nightmare. If he falls in the draft, hopefully he lands with a class organization.