UCF McKenzie Milton injury update: Details scarce after surgery
ByBrad Crawford 3 hours ago
The outlook for UCF quarterback and Heisman candidate
McKenzie Milton does not look good
following Saturday's horrific lower leg injury suffered vs. USF.
Milton's injury occurred early in the second quarter of Saturday's win after he rolled right toward the USF sideline on a option read keeper. Milton was tackled on a clean hit to his knee, one that unfortunately caused his leg to bend at a gruesome angle.
Charlie Strong and other members of the USF coaching staff quickly cleared the areas as players took off their helmets and grimaced.
Trainers quickly tended to the junior quarterback before the entire UCF team gathered around after becoming aware of the severity of the injury. A cart eventually wheeled Milton to the locker room with teammates providing their well wishes before his exit from the field. ESPN reported at halftime that Milton was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.
UCF Football nor Tampa General Hospital has updated Milton's status as of Saturday morning, but there are several reports indicating the quarterback had emergency surgery.
Orthopedic surgeon David J. Chao, who worked in the NFL for nearly two decades, says video of the injury confirmed a severe dislocation and perhaps a more alarming situation.
"Likely emergency surgery to "save" his leg comes next as artery likely disrupted," Chao tweeted late Friday night. "This is a
Zach Miller Chicago Bears situation. Wish this athlete the best but any NFL dreams are likely over."
Miller had emergency surgery last season to repair a torn popliteal artery in his leg after suffering the injury during a game for the Bears. Doctors were able to save Miller's leg from being amputated. Chao later responded to a tweet from Tampa area 10News WTSP sports director Ryan Bass detailing the severity of the injury saying, "Undoubtedly emergency surgery to restore blood flow as permanent muscle damage occurs within hours if circulation not restored."
According to Orlando-based WFTVSports anchor Christian Bruey,
details coming from Milton's family are scarce early Saturday following surgery after Friday's game.
"I just got off the phone with an official at Tampa General and there will be no “condition” update this morning for
McKenzie Milton. That is all they could say. Looking at other national stories, this sometimes can be by the families request."
Milton has been one of college football's top playmakers over the course of the last two seasons. This season Milton had thrown for 2,577 yards and 24 touchdowns to five interceptions while completing 59.5 percent of his passes. A dual-threat behind center, Milton had rushed 74 times for 291 yards and nine touchdowns entering Friday's game. Before his injury Friday, Milton had completed 5-of-10 passes for 86 yards and one touchdown while rushing five times for 16 yards.
Currently on track for a New Year's Six bowl for the second-straight season, UCF hosts Memphis next week in the American Athletic Conference title game.