I caught up with Clay Helton for a minute following his Signing Day press conference for a couple updates.
He told me linebacker Cameron Smith's shoulder injury did not require surgery, as they originally suspected, and that he will be able to get it back to full strength through rehab. He's also coming along well from a torn ACL.
"He's progressing really fast, I think faster than we actually thought," he said. "That was good news for us. You never have a crystal ball but in my experience with those — modern medicine is going really fast nowadays, everybody heals differently — that's usually been anywhere from a 7-9 month injury. If he heals perfect, I think he'll be right in time for training camp. I know that's his goal. If hes not ready, obviously we're not going to put him in until he's 100 percent."
August is nine months out from when Smith injured his knee vs. Colorado in mid-November.
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I also asked Helton about linebacker Scott Felix, who reportedly is suspended for the season in relation to a drug test.
"He's going through a personal issue that I can't comment on," Helton said. "His status for the season is in question right now."
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Lastly, I bumped into Jordan Simmons and he told me he is healthy and he is moving back to offensive guard for good. He seemed pretty enthused about going back to his natural position. Helton and Bob Connelly approached him late last season and that was where he spent the final weeks of the year.
"I just stuck with that for the last four weeks," Simmons said. "I did well at it so I was like, might as well just stay over there. Coach Helton allowed me to take time this past season to just get injury free and healthy."
When asked for which guard spot he preferred, he said right guard, but that it really didn't matter. He clearly just wants to get on the field for his final season. He sounded rejuvenated about being an offensive lineman again.
"I feel that way," he said. "Finally, I can just go play."
He said he currently weighs 340 pounds but plans to be at 325 for spring practice, which is tentatively scheduled to begin March 8.
He told me linebacker Cameron Smith's shoulder injury did not require surgery, as they originally suspected, and that he will be able to get it back to full strength through rehab. He's also coming along well from a torn ACL.
"He's progressing really fast, I think faster than we actually thought," he said. "That was good news for us. You never have a crystal ball but in my experience with those — modern medicine is going really fast nowadays, everybody heals differently — that's usually been anywhere from a 7-9 month injury. If he heals perfect, I think he'll be right in time for training camp. I know that's his goal. If hes not ready, obviously we're not going to put him in until he's 100 percent."
August is nine months out from when Smith injured his knee vs. Colorado in mid-November.
***
I also asked Helton about linebacker Scott Felix, who reportedly is suspended for the season in relation to a drug test.
"He's going through a personal issue that I can't comment on," Helton said. "His status for the season is in question right now."
***
Lastly, I bumped into Jordan Simmons and he told me he is healthy and he is moving back to offensive guard for good. He seemed pretty enthused about going back to his natural position. Helton and Bob Connelly approached him late last season and that was where he spent the final weeks of the year.
"I just stuck with that for the last four weeks," Simmons said. "I did well at it so I was like, might as well just stay over there. Coach Helton allowed me to take time this past season to just get injury free and healthy."
When asked for which guard spot he preferred, he said right guard, but that it really didn't matter. He clearly just wants to get on the field for his final season. He sounded rejuvenated about being an offensive lineman again.
"I feel that way," he said. "Finally, I can just go play."
He said he currently weighs 340 pounds but plans to be at 325 for spring practice, which is tentatively scheduled to begin March 8.
