PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Paralyzed Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand is responsive and aware of the difficult road ahead, said coach Greg Schiano, who described the junior defensive tackle as being in “good spirits.”
Schiano did not update LeGrand’s medical condition in a news conference Tuesday but said he’s seen him every day since LeGrand was paralyzed from the neck down after making a special-teams tackle against Army on Saturday.
“He goes through different periods,” Schiano said. “There are medications that have to be administered. He has been very responsive at times and very aware. He knows. I have tried to keep him informed. It’s only been, even though it feels like a number of days, it’s only been a few days.
“I have tried to keep him informed what is going on here,” he said. “I see him each day and let him know what is happening with the guys.”
The Scarlet Knights practiced on Tuesday, their first full-contact workout since the Army game. Afterward, Schiano said the team was focused on Saturday’s game at Pittsburgh.
Pitt players and staff will display a large banner supporting the defensive lineman during Saturday’s game. The players, Pitt students and other university employees will sign the banner.
Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt reached out to Schiano to tell him the Panthers are pulling for LeGrand.
“It’s a very, very unfortunate injury,” Wannstedt said. “I corresponded with Greg Schiano and let him know that from our team and our players, our thoughts and prayers are with Eric.”
Irish hurting.
Notre Dame might be without all three of its top receivers Saturday when the Fighting Irish play Navy in the Meadowlands.
Coach Brian Kelly said speedy slot receiver Theo Riddick, a converted running back who is second on the team in catches, is out with a severely sprained right ankle that has been placed in a cast.
Notre Dame had already lost star tight end Kyle Rudolph for the season with a torn hamstring that required surgery last Friday.
And leading receiver Michael Floyd, who had three TD catches Saturday against Western Michigan while playing with a sore hamstring, likely will not practice this week, and his status will be a game-time decision at the Meadowlands.
Footnotes.
Vizio Inc., a manufacturer of flat-screen televisions, will be the new presenting sponsor of the Rose Bowl from 2011 to 2014, when the college football game celebrates its 100th anniversary.
• Oklahoma reserve defender Ronnell Lewis will have surgery on his injured right knee and will miss the Sooners’ game against No. 18 Missouri on Saturday night.
The Associated Press
