The Virginia Tech football team received some much needed good news on Tuesday evening. For the past month the coaching staff, trainers and doctors have been worried that tailback Elan Lewis’ career would have to wait another year to get started because of a torn ACL. In somewhat surprising news, head trainer Mike Goforth announced yesterday that Lewis’ knee was not as significantly damaged as originally thought, and that he should be ready to play by the time practice begins in August.
Dr. Marc Siegel began exploratory surgery on Lewis’ knee yesterday afternoon, and found only a slightly torn meniscus and a sprained ACL. Siegel repaired the damage and Lewis will begin rehabilitation at home, and will continue it when he returns to Virginia Tech on May 22. He is expected to make a full recovery and to be cleared for full contact by August.
Lewis’ return adds much needed depth to the Virginia Tech backfield. Projected starter Branden Ore spent spring semester back home while recovering from shoulder surgery. George Bell, who was competing with Elan Lewis for the #2 spot on the depth chart, continues to be slowed down by nagging injuries, not to mention that he hasn’t been able to fully recover from a severe knee injury in high school.
During spring practice, the Hokies used cornerback Macho Harris at tailback. They also had the services of Kenny Lewis, Jr., but he suffered an ankle injury and missed the end of spring practice, including the spring game. Tech had to rely on walkons Dustin Pickle and Billy Gorham, and true freshman Devin Radford, in the latter stages of spring practice.
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