ankle injury to sideline starting tight end

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Aug 9, 2008 | by Jake Schaller

Air Force senior tight end Travis Dekker will be out for about eight weeks because of a slight fracture in his right ankle, coach Troy Calhoun said Friday.

D e k k e r i n j u r e d the ankle Thursday during a 7-on-7 passing drill. He was on crutches Friday with a cast on his right foot and ankle. On Monday, he will undergo surgery to have a plate put on the side of his ankle (fastened by screws).

"You could maybe let it go without putting a plate on the side, and yet we're better off in the long haul making sure there is something there," Calhoun said. "Otherwise I think there's going to be a little more instability if he is able to get back to playing shape where he can play those last six, seven games."

The injury is a signifficant blow, as the 6-foot-4, 245-pound Dekker is the team's leading returning receiver and lone returning starter at an offensive skill position. He caught 25 passes for 382 yards and two touchdowns in 2007. His 25 receptions were the most by an Air Force tight end since 1989.

With Dekker out, the Falcons suddenly seem precariously thin at a spot where they appeared to have quality depth heading into fall practice. Highly regarded sophomore Steve Shaffer, the team's third- string tight end, is out until the middle of next week because of a concussion. And senior Keith Madsen, Dekker's backup, was limited in practice Friday because of minor muscle strains.

"Right now you don't have a lot of bodies out there that are experienced," Calhoun said. "That's why being able to use various personnel groups may come into play."

Etc.

Air Force will practice special teams this morning on the fields behind the Falcon Athletic Center from 9 to 9:30. The team then will move to Falcon Stadium and practice for about two more hours.