PG Howard cleared to play vs. UL

[TyBull]

PG Howard cleared to play vs. UL

Posted January 10, 2007 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Jan 10, 2007 at 03:27 PM

University of South Florida freshman guard Chris Howard, who has missed the past season and a half because of knee injuries, was cleared to play Wednesday afternoon by University of Florida doctor Peter Indelicato and will make his USF debut tonight against Louisville.

“We’re happy to have him back, but don’t expect him to reinvent the wheel,†USF coach Robert McCullum said. “Just the direction he can give us will be big.

He’s trying to be the Chris of old and there’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s not realistic. I told him ‘you’re not going to be the old Chris for a while. You can still be effective and productive.â€Â

Howard was expected to be USF’s starting point guard when he arrived at USF in 2005, but tore the ACL in his left knee two weeks before last year’s season opener. After a year of rehabilitation, Howard tore the ACL in his left knee again on June 29 and it was feared he would miss this season. However, Howard underwent a rigorous rehabilitation program and was cleared this afternoon by Indelicato, one of the nation’s top orthopedic surgeons who performed the second surgery.

Howard won’t start against the Cardinals, but McCullum said he’s hoping Howard can play 15-20 minutes. The return of Howard helps compensate for the loss of senior PG Chris Capko (ankle) and sophomore F Aris Williams (knee), who remain out indefinitely.

[Guest AstroBull]

WOOOOOOOOO!

[flsportsfan83]

Great news, hopefully he can play 15 mins tonight

[Velcro]

15-20 minutes with a real PG is better than 0... Lets see how the turnover category looks tonight.

[Brad]

Please Basketball Gods, please.... allow him to to remain injury-free.

[BleacherBull]

Thanks Brett . . . that was some speedy reporting.  You must have hidden behind the screen in the exam room.

Go Chris!

Go Bulls!

[usfgrad84]

Hey, one thing I will say about this kid is that he is an inspiration for sticking it out and coming back from two injuries like this.  I want to see what he can do and from I hear he is a great leader,  but above all else though, I really just want to see him remain healthy and ease in to the flow of things.

[Bull Dozer]

Wish i didnt have class from 6-9 tonight  >

[Triple B]