Michael Rocco started the year as Virginia’s starting quarterback. Depending on the injury status of Alabama transfer Phillip Sims, he may not keep his job.
Sims relieved a struggling Rocco during last Saturday’s loss to Louisiana Tech, going 10-of-17 for a pair of touchdowns in a fourth quarter rally -- after LaTech rallied -- that fell just short. However, Sims also suffered what is being identified as a lower-leg injury in the game. Though London skirted around QB question after Monday’s practice, but appearing on his weekly radio show, he hinted that Sims would get the start at Duke this Saturday... provided he’s 100 percent.
Here are London’s quotes courtesy of the Washington Post:“If he’s 100 percent ready to go, he will get snaps with the first unit. If he’s not [and] cannot perform because of a lower-leg injury, then Mike will be in that position.
“That’s as honest as I can be about the situation. I want everyone to know we want what’s best for the team. Michael’s been fantastic throughout all of this process. He understands it.
“You have to perform at a high level and it’s just that Phillip has performed every time he has gone in. If the leg’s okay and he performs well, then he performs well. If not, then it’s back to the same situation. At least it’s been vetted, I think, the proper way.”Sims has thrown for 340 yards on the season with five touchdowns, and perhaps more importantly, zero interceptions. The same cannot be said for Rocco, who has eight interceptions to six touchdowns.