Much the way Nolan Ryan treated Robin Ventura, Mark Herzlich got cancer in a headlock 15 months ago and ultimately embarrassed the disease by beating it senseless on a pitcher’s mound in front of 30,000 fans*.
Unfortunately for the Boston College linebacker, his inspiring comeback from Ewing’s sarcoma has been delayed by a nagging foot injury that’s kept him out for the whole of summer camp. Until Saturday.
For the first time since camp opened, Herzlich took the field with his Eagles teammates and participated in practice, albeit in non-contact drills. The senior is expected to fully participate in practice when BC dons the pads again Tuesday.
Herzlich has been sidelined by a stress fracture in his right foot that was discovered shortly before the start of camp. The injury is not related to his bout with cancer as that was in a bone in his left leg.
An MRI Friday revealed that the injury had healed enough to make a return to the practice field. It’s still uncertain whether Herzlich will be available for the opener against Weber State.
(*those last couple of facts may or may not actually be factual.)