Contra Costa Times: Nothing new about QB's injury

Longshore's chipped bone is a product of his high ankle sprain

BERKELEY -- Although Cal coach Jeff Tedford said Monday that quarterback Nate Longshore has a chipped bone in his right ankle, that's not a different diagnosis from what was initially reported.  Tedford seemed surprised that his comments were taken as "new" developments on Longshore's injury. The chip in the ankle simply is a product of Longshore's high ankle sprain, not an additional injury.  "The diagnosis that was shared with the media. ... was an accurate diagnosis," Cal team physician Dr. Cindy Chang said. "The ankle 'chip fracture' was a part of the high ankle sprain and did not change the management of this primarily ligamentous injury."

Longshore sprained his ankle Sept. 29 against Oregon and sat out one game (two weeks because of a bye week). He aggravated the injury two weeks later against Arizona State but played through it the following week against Washington State. The ankle didn't appear to affect him during the last few games of the season, although he got banged up a bit during the Big Game last weekend.

A new slate

Tedford has seemed rejuvenated this week after enduring the toughest two-month stretch in his six years at Cal. The Bears finished the regular season by losing six of their past seven games, but will have a month off before playing Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 31 in Fort Worth, Texas.  Perhaps one of the reasons for the extra bounce in his step is without a game pending, he's actually got a little sleep this  week. He said he's retired the famous air mattress in his office, and although he's still putting in a lot of hours, "it's not like game week."  Tedford also seemed excited about nine recruits who are visiting campus this weekend. Another group of potential Bears are expected to visit next weekend. "We have a good group in this weekend and a good group in next weekend," Tedford said. According to scout.com, Cal's recruiting class currently ranks 26th nationally. The Bears have 10 oral commitments so far.

Action Jackson?

Tedford said he expects wide receiver DeSean Jackson to play in the Armed Forces Bowl. Jackson sat out the Big Game with a thigh contusion, but has plenty of time for it to heal.  "I would think so," Tedford said when asked if Jackson will play. "The game is a long way away."  Tedford also said Jackson has maintained a positive attitude during the team's struggles and his own inability to match his explosive numbers from last season. Jackson actually has more catches (60) than last year (59) despite missing the past 11/2 games because of the injury. But his 681 yards receiving is well off the pace of his 1,060 a year ago, and he's failed to match his production on punt returns from a year ago. Many expect Jackson, a junior, to turn pro after the season. Tedford said he and Jackson have yet to discuss his future. "He still has a great attitude," Tedford said. "He's not a malcontent by any means."

Extra points

Tedford said he still doesn't have an official diagnosis of running back Jahvid Best's hip injury. The team still is waiting to gather multiple evaluations of MRIs from experts across the country. Best definitely is out for the season, and the team wants to make sure the injury doesn't have any long-term ramifications. ... The Bears will hold 13 practices before the Armed Forces Bowl. Tedford said the Bears won't start putting in the game plan for Air Force until this week. Cal leaves for Forth Worth on Dec. 27.