JacketsOnline.com - Deaderick cleared to play against Virginia Tech

September 3, 2009

Christopher Walsh
TideSports.com

TUSCALOOSA - University of Alabama senior defensive end Brandon Deaderick, who was shot in a failed robbery attempt Monday night, has been cleared to play in Saturday's game against Virginia Tech.

We're very, very fortunate that his injuries were not significant or serious," UA coach Nick Saban said during his weekly radio show Thursday evening. "The bullet goes through his arm, through his hip, out his groin. We're very fortunate that he doesn't have any other significant issues. Those are the kinds of things you can actually lose your life over."?

He continued: "Brandon is doing extremely well. He actually practiced today. It's a little unbelievable to me. The first thing I do is talk to our medical staff, they actually say he'll do no damage to himself. These things are actually being treated like a puncture wound because he had no damage to any nerves, no damage to any bone in either wound. It's like stepping on a nail, when it heals up he can play.

"We're going to take it day-to-day. He really wants to play. I'll talk to him and defer to him because he's been cleared by the medical staff. I've met with his parents and talked with them. We want to do what's best for him and we never want to do something that would be detrimental to his future career or even our season if he played before he's ready."

Deaderick, 22, started all 14 games last season and has played in 34 career games for Alabama, while making 21 starts. He has 60 career tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. If Deaderick isn't able to start, Marcell Dareus is expected to replace him.

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