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Fluellen's Injury Worse Than Expected

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Michael McGuffee, Tribune correspondent

Published: September 18, 2007

TALLAHASSEE Florida State senior DT Andre Fluellen, who did not start for the Seminoles on Saturday for the first time in 26 games, said an MRI performed Monday revealed partially torn ligaments in his left elbow.

Fluellen suffered the injury last week in practice, but he dressed and fully expected to play at Colorado. Instead, he watched the entire game from the sideline.

"It's a little bit worse than I thought it was," Fluellen said after practice Tuesday. "I had planned on playing, but they kind of wanted to hold me out until they really thought they needed me. It could have gotten a lot worse if I would've played."

The Outland Trophy candidate said he remains unable to fully extend his elbow, but doctors expect the injury to heal completely in two to three weeks. Fluellen, who has played through injuries in the past, says he will not participate in practice this week, but that the ailment will not prevent him from playing against Alabama Sept. 29.

"I'm glad we got a bye week this week, so a lot of rest and ice,'' he said. "I should be alright for the Alabama game, [but] either way I'm going to play so it doesn't really matter."

WORKING END: With starting TE Charlie Graham sidelined with a pulled left hamstring, OT Caz Piurowski practiced exclusively at his former position Tuesday for the first time this season.

FSU coach Bobby Bowden said previously that Piurowski, yet to earn playing time at tackle, was too good a player to leave on the bench. The Land O' Lakes native got his first action at TE this season against Colorado when Graham had to leave the game.

"I got in for something like seven or eight plays,'' he said Tuesday. "As long as I can get on the field, I don't care what position it is.''

While Piurowski will work with the first-team offense this week at TE, the longterm future for the 6-foot-9 sophomore remains to be seen. According to coaches, Piurowski was also close to earning more time at tackle.

"Caz is making progress," offensive line coach Rick Trickett said. "You've got to remember: theoretically he's just a redshirt freshman. We're taking our lumps [on the offensive line] a little bit right now, but you've got to look long range.''

WAITING HIS TURN: Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher said Monday that WR Damon McDaniel is a young guy who needs to be more involved. McDaniel says offensive three-and-outs have made it hard for him to get into the rotation thus far, but looks forward to earning more opportunities.

"I always feel like I can come out and help my team in many situations," McDaniel said. "I want to try and provide that spark. I want to make big plays, too. I'm just sitting back and waiting my turn."

NOLE NUGGETS: Bowden said WR Joslin Shaw and DE Kevin McNeil remain ineligible to play as FSU waits to hear from the NCAA regarding their appeals of an unspecified academic issue. … The game time announcement for FSU's neutral-site showdown with Alabama in Jacksonville on Sept. 29 has been pushed back to Sunday. The decision will likely hinge on whether the Crimson Tide wins or loses Saturday. … Redshirt freshman S Mister Alexander is undergoing left knee surgery today to repair torn ligaments. … Freshman LB Maurice Harris suffered a knee sprain Saturday and is expected to miss two to three weeks.

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