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Media Days are far from over but it is worth updating on what we know so far regarding injuries. Taysom is the headliner but there are multiple players who’s injury status will have a significant impact on the teams performance this fall.
So without further ado, let’s jump right in to the injury updates of the day:
Taysom Hill said he is fully healthy, ready to go. Nothing holding him back at all right now.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) June 30, 2016
Taysom said multiple times during media days that he feels 100% and could play today. It had been rumored that he was close to being completely back and unless he is just trying to temper fan’s concerns, it sounds like he is. The significance of this is that he is able to work out and do conditioning drills with the team during the summer and not be limited at all during fall camp.
Travis Tuiloma suffered the same injury as Taysom did, a Lisfranc foot injury but is expected to be ready to play in game one. However, the coaching staff did acknowledge that his status is uncertain and he will be limited through fall camp.
Star safety Kai Nacua is expected to be fine for the season according to assistant coach, Ed Lamb. Kai has gone through two shoulder surgeries this off season.
The news is not as bright for offensive lineman, Kyle Johnson. Kyle has not been cleared to play and according to offensive line coach, Mike Empey, it will likely not be until mid-season before he gets back.
The prognosis for presumptive starting TE, Bryan Sampson is especially unfortunate:
Tight ends coach Steve Clark says TE Bryan Sampson had a doc's appointment yesterday, and prognosis for recovery isn't good.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) June 30, 2016
Steve Clark also said that he is 95% sure that Bryan’s football career is over. At this point, we hope for the best for Bryan’s future for life beyond football. BYU will look to several players to replace him.
Non-injury related notes
Kalani Sitake announced that former TE, Josh Weeks is gone from the program and will not be invited back. It is likely that the events from March played a main role in this decision.
Tejan Koroma rumors continue to loom but multiple coaches have confirmed that they expect him to be back this year and ready to play. Given the injury status of Kyle Johnson, and relatively little depth on the offensive line, Koroma’s return becomes that much more crucial.
Stay tuned to Vanquish the Foe as we continue to update you on BYU Media Days.