Washington State’s Holmes To Undergo Back Surgery

Gary Holmes said Saturday he expects to undergo back surgery April 11 and could be incapacitated for six weeks, meaning Washington State will be without both starting defensive tackles during spring football practices.

Holmes has had chronic back trouble since suffering a herniated disc last summer. The 6-foot-7, 315-pound sophomore hasn’t practiced since Wednesday, the day spring drills began.

“I practiced Wednesday and after that it was hurting,” said Holmes, standing on the Martin Stadium sideline as his teammates went through a morning workout. “I had a pins-and-needle feeling in my heel.”

Washington State trainer Mark Smaha was out of town Saturday and unavailable for comment, so details of the impending operation remain sketchy.

“They say it’s supposed to help,” Holmes said wearily. “Hopefully it will be done with after this.

“They said I had two bulging disks and a herniated disk. They said the bulging disks are going back in, but the herniated one I need to get operated on. So I don’t know.”

The Cougars are already without returning starter Leon Bender, who is being held out of spring practices to focus on his studies.

Dorian Boose, Shane Doyle, Jonathan Nance, Jesse Ratcliff and Rob Meier are among the players rotating at the various positions along the defensive line. Delmar Morais, who started ahead of Holmes until suffering a knee injury early last season, continues in rehabilitation.

, DataTimes