T.J. Simpson led all Arizona State receivers with ten or more receptions last year with a 16.6 yards per catch average, and was expected to give new starting quarterback Brock Osweiler an experienced and productive deep threat.
Unfortunately for all involved, a significant injury that occurred during the early stages of spring practice may have scuttled those plans.
Simpson suffered what is believed to be a torn ACL during practice Thursday and could be out for an extended period of time, up to and including the entire 2011 season. Head coach Dennis Erickson did not sound the least bit optimistic when addressing the injury Friday.
“We won’t know until Saturday, but it doesn’t look very good,’' Erickson said. “We’ll see. ... They didn’t like the looks of it.”
Simpson, a senior, was third on the team in receptions in 2010 with 29 and second with 481 receiving yards. With the departure of Kerry Taylor (no relation), Simpson, along with Mike Willie, will be/would’ve been the Sun Devils’ leading returning receiver.