UK Notebook: Johnson, Conner may miss season opener
September 3, 2009
LEXINGTON ? Kentucky could be without middle linebacker Micah Johnson and fullback John Conner Saturday when it opens the season against Miami at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.
Johnson has a sprained foot and did not finish practice Wednesday. He missed Saturday?s scrimmage before returning to workouts Tuesday.
Johnson is on the preseason watch lists for several national awards and is UK?s top returning tackler. Head coach Rich Brooks says Johnson?s injury is now in the area of the foot where plantar fasciitis generally occurs.
?We?ll just have to see how his foot responds (Thursday),? Brooks said. However, the coach now says there is a chance that Johnson, who played with a high ankle sprain part of last year, could miss the opening game.
Sophomore Ronnie Sneed and senior Mikhail Mabry would likely fill in at middle linebacker if Johnson can? go.
Conner has been sidelined by a sprained ankle. He went through the first half of practice Wednesday before being held out of the team drills.
?He?s our starting fullback and plays on several special teams that he has been on for four years. We need him healthy,? Brooks said of Conner.
The Wildcats have had more than a normal amount of foot and ankle problems during preseason camp. Brooks said it might be due to practicing on similar turf at UK to what the team will see on the artificial surface at Paul Brown Stadium.
?We've spent more time on this surface, and I think that has a little bit to do with some of the foot and ankle problems,? Brooks said. ?It makes it harder to get those things well than it does playing on natural grass.?
