Staff File Photo by Robin Rudd/Chattanooga Times Free Press
UTC quarterback Terrell Robinson.Surgery to fix a wrist injury sustained in an all-star game last June will keep University of Tennessee at Chattanooga freshman quarterback Terrell Robinson out of all or most of spring practice.
The former South Pittsburg star, the state's 2009 Class 1A back of the year, is one of several Mocs recovering from offseason surgeries. Both starting defensive ends, Josh Williams (shoulder) and Chris Donald (wrists), will miss all of spring practice.
Robinson said he suffered ligament damage in his right (throwing) wrist during the Tennessee-Georgia All-Star Football Classic. While redshirting this past season, Robinson ran the scout-team offense but said his wrist never felt quite right.
He had surgery earlier this month and likely won't be back at full strength before April.
"It stinks," offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield said of Robinson's surgery, "but it had to be done."
The Mocs begin spring practice on Feb. 23 and wrap up with the spring game on April 2.
The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Robinson, an elusive and effective runner, was expected to get a lot of work this spring in preparation for the 2011 season. Not only will Robinson compete with Graham Nichols for the backup job behind B.J. Coleman, but Satterfield said he plans to mix in some special spread packages for Robinson to run.
"I went into [planning for spring practice] wanting him to be open game [for the defense]," Satterfield said, "taking any type of precautionary jersey off of him and let him play ball and use his strength, which is his ability to escape from pressure situations and get out of the pocket and run and not have a quick whistle."
Donald, a second-team All-Southern Conference pick last season, had surgery on his right wrist in December, and his left wrist was operated on Friday. Williams had shoulder surgery Thursday.
Backup defensive tackle Jesse LoScudo also has had shoulder surgery and will miss spring practice.
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