Big news from the BYU/Oklahoma game this evening - Sam Bradford has injured his throwing shoulder. He was hit by a defender attempting a pass, landing awkwardly. Initial fears suggested he may have broken his collarbone or suffered a dislocation, but CBS Sportsline are calling it a sprain. The Heisman winner didn't return for the second half and sat on the sideline with his arm in a sling and ice taped to his shoulder.Ironically one of the complaints tallied at Bradford is that he's never experienced consistent pressure behind a strong Sooners offensive line. Starting behind four new starters in the 2009 season opener, he's certainly felt some pass rush tonight. Before the injury, he was 10-14 for 96 yards and a TD. Oklahoma eventually lost the game 14-13.
It remains to be seen how long Bradford will be absent from this. His stock was particularly high at the end of 2008, winning the Heisman and notching 50 touchdowns as he led Oklahoma to the BCS Championship. Substantial missed time this year could have an affect on his draft stock. Mike Freeman says the injury shows Bradford made a mistake returning to the college ranks.
"Bradford remains yet another illustration of why college players with his kind of ability should take the cash and run. Returning was a tremendous risk. There was a good chance had Bradford departed last year he might've gone first to the Detroit Lions. The player who did, Matthew Stafford, signed a $41 million deal. That's what Bradford gave up and even if the shoulder injury isn't significant it still gives something to NFL teams to obsess." - Mike Freeman
Let's hope the injury isn't too serious and Bradford can return to the Sooners line-up as soon as possible. In a year where Seattle owns two coveted first round picks, it's in the Seahawks' interests to have a good look at the highest rated players ahead of next April. For more on today's college action, click here.
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