Earlier this week, we chatted about the health of Montel Harris and how that would be a theme for this season. It just got real for BC because Montel Harris isn't going to be seeing the field for up to a month:
Head coach Frank Spaziani just announced that the ACC Preseason Player of the Year Montel Harris, whose season was cut short last year when he suffered a knee injury on Nov. 20, had to undergo another arthroscopic procedure this morning. He’s expected to be out 3-to-4 weeks, though that was the original prognosis when he was hurt last year.
"I was very concerned about Montel in January. And I was very concerned about him in spring ball. I was feeling a little bit better when he was feeling better and I was telling you guys he looked like his old self. Now I’m very concerned again. And I feel bad for him, because he’s concerned, obviously," said Spaziani.
Yikes. At a minimum that has Montel missing at least the first two games of the season against Northwestern and at Central Florida. Andre Williams, who finished off the 2010 season for the Eagles, will be in line to get most of the carries. I love me some Montel Harris, but don't fret Eagles fans. Williams is very capable. He was very effective against Syracuse last season, and had a touchdown in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl against Nevada.
Rolandan Finch and Tahj Kimble's roles now have increased as well. Finch was in line to backup Harris and will most likely continue to do so for Williams. Kimble will most likely receive more touches and be a change-of-pace back.
This is a scary turn of events for Boston College. Losing the ACC Preseason Player of the Year before the season starts is not what you want to happen, and we need him against a solid defense like Central Florida. But the Eagles have depth at RB and could manage to escape the first two weeks with Williams carrying the ball.
However, the question remains whether this injury will continue to linger throughout the season for Harris.