LaMichael James Injury: Will Ducks Survive Arizona State Without Star RB?

The lasting image from last Thursday’s blow-out victory for Oregon over the University of California wasn’t any of LaMichael James’ four touchdowns. Instead it was the sight of trainers helping James off the field after the star running back dislocated his elbow.  

After the game, James told reporters that he had the same injury back in high school and that he was able to play the following week. He thought he would be ready to go against Arizona State on Saturday night.  

However, it’s looking like the injury is going to keep the Ducks' Heisman Trophy hopeful on the sideline, instead of in uniform.  

From Ducks practice on Wednesday, quarterback Darron Thomas seemed to spill the news that coach Chip Kelly was trying to keep silent from the media about James, saying, “Practicing, getting ready, trying to push a little harder, knowing we're going to be without LaMichael." 

Whoops, so much for that code of silence, trying to keep the No. 18 Arizona State Sun Devils, guessing if he will or won’t play. 

Thomas went into further detail. “I'm all right, we've got Kenjon Barner in the backfield with me. He is a step behind LaMike, doing the same things. We've got Tra Carson doing well for us. I can't wait to see him play. And De'Anthony Thomas, everybody knows about De'Anthony." 

LaMichael was at practice on Tuesday. However, he left the Casanova Center with his arm in a brace. There is no word if James was practicing on Wednesday, as the practice held at Autzen Stadium was closed to fans and media. 

So is this just a game that the Ducks are playing with Arizona State, trying to get them to not plan for one of the best players in the country? 

Or, is LaMichael really hurt and will miss an extended period of time?  

When James was injured and the prognosis was a dislocated elbow, the normal rest time for the injury to be fully healed is seven weeks; not seven days as James and Oregon fans wish for.  

It looks like Oregon will have to put their national championship dreams on the shoulders of Thomas for this week’s game against the Sun Devils. 

He has proven that he can lead this Ducks offense as well as James can. But, without the two-headed monster attack, it helps Arizona State focus on one player not two.  

Making Oregon into a passing offense just may be enough to end any chances this Ducks team has at making it back to the national title game. 

Twitter: @tjmcaloon