Lewis’ knee hurts whole Virginia Tech team

By Nate Crossman  |   Tuesday, April 11, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Virginia Tech Hokies
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The ticky-tack injuries the Virginia Tech Hokies could take, because ticky-tacky injuries heal quickly. Redshirt freshman quarterback Ike Whitaker's suspension they could take, because the prevailing notion was that Whitaker would be back in uniform sometime before Saturday's spring game. Redshirt freshman running back Elan Lewis' undisclosed knee injury, however, is something that could have far-reaching consequences.

Lewis injured his knee last Wednesday and preliminary MRI results indicate a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which means he could be out until at least September or October. With running back Branden Ore recovering from shoulder surgery, that leaves George Bell as the only viable option at tailback.

At the very least, Lewis' injury affects the Hokies' depth at running back. Ore, who was second on the team last year with 647 yards and six touchdowns, is poised to become the featured back in an offense that will rely heavily on the run with three inexperienced quarterbacks. Lewis was expected to fill the role that Ore did last year to starters Mike Imoh and Cedric Humes. If Lewis is unable to perform then Bell will be bumped to No. 2 tailback.

Although he knows the position and has shown flashes of the talent that made him a top recruit (34 yards rushing and a touchdown in last Saturday's scrimmage), Bell has been slowed by multiple knee injuries and would be better served playing fullback.

If Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer is dissatisfied with the Ore-Bell combination, he might be tempted to move Victor "Macho" Harris from cornerback to tailback, where he worked out for a brief spell this spring. Harris was a prolific rusher in high school but played defense his freshman year. He pleaded for a shot at running back this spring and received one, but was moved back to cornerback with no plans to move him back. But if Lewis is out, those plans might change. Harris moving to the backfield will weaken the defense and special teams.

Although the Brothers Vick and Bryan Randall have received much recognition in recent years, the Hokies have a tradition being very deep at tailback. Whether it was Kevin Jones backing up Lee Suggs, or Humes and Imoh backing up Jones, Virginia Tech hasn't had to worry about the position too much.

If Lewis is out until mid-fall, the Hokies will have to worry.
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