Following a scary hit in the Cal game last weekend that left Dietrich Riley without feeling in parts of his body, Rick Neuheisel said earlier in the week that “everything has checked out fine” medically with the UCLA safety.
Not fine enough, however, for the defensive back to see the field this weekend.
Neuheisel said Wednesday that Riley will sit out Saturday’s game against Arizona State as a precaution. Riley was officially diagnosed with a stinger after laying motionless on the field for a period of time, so the football program is taken the cautious and prudent tack in allowing Riley to return.
“I think it’s smart to sit out,” Riley said. “I think we have great enough depth at the safety position, and we have guys who are willing to step in and carry on. I’m just being safe for precautionary reasons.”
Riley will undergo further testing, including an MRI, on his neck. Despite being sidelined for the Sun Devils game, Riley’s thankful that the injury wasn’t a lot worse than what it could be.
“It was scary,” Riley said. “I really didn’t know what to expect. I couldn’t feel anything, couldn’t feel my upper or lower body at the moment. Once the training staff came out to field, that’s when I began to get feeling back. I’m just thankful to be here today, thankful I’m walking, thankful I’m alive. It could’ve been more severe. I’m just thankful the Man Above was watching over me.”