Preds lose Fryzel
Published on March 7, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. (March 7, 2006) -- An already thin and inexperienced Orlando Predators receiving corps underwent another major setback on Tuesday when the team placed leading receiver Jimmy Fryzel on the injured reserve list after the second-year player was diagnosed with diabetes.
The team's offensive specialist, Fryzel caught 78 passes for 1,159 yards and 17 touchdowns in just 10 games played last season -- leading the Arena Football League in receiving yards per game at 115.9. This year, he was still the team's leading receiver with 39 catches for 439 yards and nine touchdowns through six games but was averaging just 70 yards per game. He had just one, 100-yard receiving game this season, compared to eight last year.
In addition to the production drop-off, Fryzel had complained about not feeling right and losing significant weight. Since the season began, he had dropped more than 11 pounds from his ideal playing weight.
"Jimmy mentioned that he just seemed to get tired a lot more quickly than last year and we obviously were concerned about the rapid weight loss," Head Trainer Kevin Mercuri said. "Over the weekend, he mentioned that his family had a history of diabetes and that set off an alarm."
Fryzel underwent diabetic testing on Monday, which proved positive. The Predators immediately placed him on the injured reserve list, meaning he will miss at least the next two games.
"The next step is that Jimmy will meet with a specialist to determine what type of diabetes he has and what course of treatment he will have to follow to stabilize his body," Mercuri added.
The loss of Fryzel is just the latest of a series of injuries to the Predators at the wide receiver position. WR/LB Clif Dell was lost for the season with a torn ACL against Tampa Bay on Feb. 19; while DeAndrew Rubin, Jermaine Mays, Javarus Dudley, Lamont Moore, and Lin-J Shell have missed a total of 12 games with assorted injuries. Rubin is scheduled to return from injured reserve this week, while Dudley, Moore and Shell saw action last week.
"He's a big part of our offense and we'll miss him, but the main thing is for Jimmy to take care of himself and get healthy," Predators head coach Jay Gruden said.
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