[ SPORTS
]

news

opinions

sports

policebeat

comics

Arts:GroundZero

(DAILY_WILDCAT)

 -
By Joel Flom
Arizona Daily Wildcat
September 11, 1997

Fipp's neck injury may cause starter to miss UAB game


[Image is Loading. No, Really, it is.]


Arizona Daily Wildcat

Junior free safety David Fipp looks to catch a pass during a football practice last season. Fipp may not be in Saturday's starting line-up against Alabama-Birmingham due to a neck injury sustained in last week's game against Oregon.


After injuring his neck Thursday against Oregon, the Arizona coaches and medical staff are not about to rush junior free safety David Fipp back into the starting lineup.

"We haven't made the decision," said defensive secondary coach Duane Akina on whether Fipp will play Saturday against Alabama-Birmingham. "My number one concern will be his health.

"David is such a tough son of a gun, he wants to play."

Despite Fipp's eagerness to play, however, the coaches want to take every precaution when it comes to this type of injury.

"If I don't feel exactly right (about Fipp's health), he won't play," Akina said.

"We are concerned about it," UA head coach Dick Tomey said. "We don't want it to worsen."

One good sign for Fipp is that he has not had to see the team's physician, Dr. Donald Porter, who said Fipp is being dealt with on a regular basis by the staff's physical therapists.

Assistant Director of Medical Services Magie LaCambra said she could not comment on his condition.

"I am feeling good, it's coming along well," said Fipp, who practiced with the team yesterday. "It's up to the coaches to decide now.

"Since this is a nonconference game they want to rest me, but if this was a conference game I would be playing without a doubt. Obviously I want to play with only 10 games left."

The 1996 11-game starter, Fipp turned in an excellent season last year, leading the secondary with 88 tackles plus two fumble recoveries, one fumble caused and two interceptions.

The Wildcats are not sure at this point how they will fill Fipp's spot should he not be ready to go.

"I'm toying with a couple of situations right now," Akina said. "Kelvin (Hunter) could move inside or (Chris) McAlister could move inside and we'll put Kelvin outside."


(LAST_STORY)  - (Wildcat Chat)  - (NEXT_STORY)

 -