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Weinke's injury not serious

FSU expects QB to recover from a sprained foot and play against Miami next week.

By BRIAN LANDMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 30, 2000

Quarterback Chris Weinke learned Friday that his left foot is sprained and not broken, a diagnosis that keeps Florida State's march toward a possible second straight national champion in perfect step.

"We've studied the questionable area and there is no fracture," team physician Tom Haney said after he and two radiologists reviewed the results of a CAT scan.

Haney said he expects Weinke, a Heisman Trophy front-runner who injured the midfoot during Thursday night's 59-7 victory at Maryland so severely that he couldn't put weight on it, to be able to play against No. 10 Miami Oct. 7 at the Orange Bowl.

That figures to be the first big test for the No. 2 Seminoles.

"I'm just relieved that there is nothing that says I'm definitely out," Weinke said. "Obviously, I've got a lot of confidence in our medical staff and I trust what they tell me. I'm a lot sorer today than I was last night, but I've got a few days to rest before we get going."

The news was a relief to FSU coach Bobby Bowden.

"Naturally, you don't want any of your boys to get hurt, but Chris Weinke would be my No. 1 player, in regard to the value to the team, I would want to see him out there," he said.

But even after watching Weinke limp from the Byrd Stadium field early in the second half, Bowden didn't really consider life without the unflappable 28-year-old senior who has played his best when his team needed him the most.

"I wasn't really alarmed until I got home last night," Bowden said.

On his way to his car at the Tallahassee Regional Airport, Bowden saw Weinke sitting on a bench waiting for a ride and asked how his foot felt, hoping he'd say it was better.

"He said, "It hurts pretty good right now,' " Bowden said. "That shook me."

Weinke had X-rays early Friday, but they didn't show anything definite and Haney ordered a CAT scan. Bowden quipped that he'd be in a chapel awaiting those make-or-break results.

Weinke will be fitted with a specially-made orthotic. Haney said he didn't expect Weinke to practice Monday and is not sure how much Weinke will be able to do during the week's preparation.

"We'll just have to get out there next week and see what he can and can't do," Bowden said. "It's probably something where we really won't know everything until late this week."

Usually, if a player can't at least practice by Thursday, he likely wouldn't play on Saturday. So, Bowden added that he and his staff will have to have backup senior quarterback Marcus Outzen ready to start.

When Weinke suffered a serious neck injury late in the 1998 season, Outzen took over and guided the Seminoles to a win against Florida. But he struggled in the national championship showdown against Tennessee in the Fiesta Bowl, shouldering much of the blame for the loss.

Against Georgia Tech a few weeks ago, Outzen relieved Weinke for a series early in the first half and threw an interception on an out route that was returned for a touchdown, a play hauntingly familiar to a pivotal play against Tennessee. But since the Tech game, Outzen has completed 15 of 22 passes for 256 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He drove FSU to three touchdowns in the second half against the Terrapins.

"It felt pretty good to move the ball," he said.

"I feel much better (about Outzen)," Bowden said. "He's had some big games under his belt. ... I think he's further along now than he was, but not as far along as Chris Weinke."

Up next:

FSU at Miami, noon Oct. 7, Orange Bowl. TV: Ch. 10.

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