Brown Possibly Lost for Season
April 6, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. (April 6, 2005) -- After getting through the first half of the 2005 season relatively injury free, the Orlando Predators lost one playerâpossibly for the season -- and have two others ailing for this week's game with arch-rival Tampa Bay.
Back-up WR/DB Michael Brown fractured orbital bones around his eye while tackling fullback Michael Spicer at the end of the first quarter against Los Angeles last week. Brown, 5-10, 190, was dragging down the 6-1, 275-lb. fullback and had the majority of Spicer's weight land on his helmet--which was knocked askew during the play. The edge of the helmet near the facemask was pushed up against Brown's eye socket.
"A totally freak injury, one I have never seen in all my years of athletic training," Orlando Predators head trainer Kevin Mercuri. "Unfortunately for Michael, there are several small bones around the eye socket and he sustained a fracture. He was seeing an eye specialist today, but it's an injury that will probably require surgery and will take considerable time to heal. It's extremely questionable that he would be able to play again before the end of the season."
Brown had 16 receptions for 219 yards and two touchdowns to go with three rushing touchdowns on offense. Defensively, he was the team's fourth leading tackler with 22 stops and an interception.
The team placed Brown on injured reserve on Wednesday.
"Michael is a high-energy guy that always seems to make big plays for us," Head Coach Jay Gruden said. "We're going to miss the athleticism, attitude and energy he brings to the field."
Orlando also had both of its fullback/linebackers injured in Sunday's overtime win against the Avengers as Idris Price suffered a sprained ankle and Marlon Moye-Moore injured his quad muscle. Price is listed as questionable for the Tampa game, while Moye-Moore is listed as doubtful.
In lieu of the injuries, the Predators re-signed FB/LB Kevin Jefferson on Wednesday. Jefferson played briefly with the Carolina Cobras in 2001 and also played for the Orlando Rage of the XFL. He went to training camp with the Orlando Predators this year and was among the team's last cuts of training camp. In addition, Gruden said the team would be looking to sign a WR/DB to fill Brown's spot.
"Injuries are part of the game," Gruden said. "Great teams find a way to overcome injuries."
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 6, 2005
- Gladiators make roster moves - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Drive to ArenaBowl XIX heats up on NBC, FSN - AFL I
- AFL week 11 injury report - AFL I
- Storm, Preds Renew War on I-4 - Tampa Bay Storm
- Colorado Crush game notes - Colorado Crush
- Brown Possibly Lost for Season - Orlando Predators
- Los Angeles Avengers game notes - Los Angeles Avengers
- Columbus Destroyers game notes - Columbus Destroyers
- Kats Make Change At Kicker - Nashville Kats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
