Already thread-bare at the linebacker position, Arizona is expected to learn today whether or not they will be down a starter they simply can’t afford to lose.
Junior Jake Fischer suffered what was described at the time as a significant knee injury during the Wildcats’ scrimmage Saturday. An update on Fischer’s condition, including the results of an MRI, is expected at some point today, the Arizona Daily Star is reporting.
At the time of the injury, head coach Mike Stoops sounded cautiously pessimistic in regards to the eventual prognosis.
“It’ll be disappointing if it’s significant,” Stoops said. “That’ll be another major blow for us.”
Based on the early word, Stoops will indeed be disappointed and facing another major blow as it’s believed Fischer suffered significant ligament damage in the knee. If UA’s private fears come to fruition, Fischer will miss the entire 2011 season.
The loss of Fischer would be a devastating blow to a unit that had just six players at the start of spring practice, thanks in part to the abrupt defections of two backups. Fischer, penciled in as a starter entering the spring sessions, has played in 26 games during his first two seasons with the Wildcats.
In addition to Fischer’s injury and the bolting of two of his fellow LBs, the Wildcats have also lost starting safety Adam Hall and top backup running back Greg Nwoko to torn ACLs.