Terrapin football defensive end Derek Drummond injured his MCL during the Terps’ scrimmage on Saturday, but Coach Ralph Friedgen said after practice today the junior likely won’t need surgery.
“We actually did the MRI on him but then [Team Doctor Craig] Bennett got sick so he wasn’t able to see the MRI,” Friedgen said. “We think he doesn’t need an operation, but until Dr. Bennett says so it’s not official.”
Friedgen said Drummond’s swelling has gone down, and he would probably need about four to six weeks to recover if he does not have surgery.
Converted linebacker Drew Gloster has emerged and possibly supplanted Drummond on the first team anyway, and redshirt freshman Bradley Johnson will also play there this fall.
FRIEDGEN PLEASED WITH OFFENSIVE TACKLES
The Terps’ offensive line has been the subject of scrutiny all spring after an inconsistent fall, but Friedgen finally had some praise for starting tackles Justin Gilbert and R.J. Dill today.
Gilbert is looking to replace left tackle Bruce Campbell, who is expected to be selected early in the NFL Draft on Thursday night, and Dill is the full-time right tackle this year after Paul Pinegar switched to center.
Friedgen has been concerned about the play of his offensive guards – though he said today Andrew Gonnella, Bennett Fulper and Justin Lewis have all improved – but his tackles are starting to look pretty solid.
“I think we’re going to end up one day with Dill and Gilbert being two pretty good football players,” Friedgen said.
FRIEDGEN QUOTE OF THE DAY
After Friedgen lamented his lack of depth at offensive guard, a reporter asked Friedgen if Lamar Young could contribute in the fall.
The junior started three games last year but is sitting out the spring after he had offseason shoulder surgery, and also apparently to focus on academics.
“He would probably figure in the two-deep,” Friedgen said. “But right now he’s got some academic issues that I’m concerned about — probably more than he is.”
The Terps will practice for the final time on Thursday and then conclude the spring season on Saturday with the annual Red-White Spring Game.
Greg Schimmel is The Diamondback’s Terrapin football beat writer. He can be reached at schimmeldbk@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Greg_Schimmel.