WSU linebacker Derting dealing with another injury
PULLMAN – The injury troubles for former Washington State linebacker Will Derting aren’t over yet.
A medial collateral ligament injury in his left knee, sustained in the Pac-10 opener at Oregon State this fall, cost Derting much of his senior season. And another examination of the knee after the season revealed damage to the anterior cruciate ligament as well, a problem that resulted in reconstructive surgery over the holidays, head coach Bill Doba said.
“They replaced the ACL. It was hanging on by a thread,” Doba explained. “And rather than just go ahead and go to a game and tear it, we felt it was better to get it repaired as quickly as we could and start to rehab in case there is a chance he’ll be back (to playing). Maybe take a year to rehab it.”
Derting was scheduled to play in the East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 21.
Derting, his family and WSU team doctor Edwin Tingstad made the decision after the season was through – Derting played in the last two games against Oregon and Washington after allowing the MCL injury to largely heal – that the more significant surgery was the optimal route.
Recovery from the ACL reconstruction can take months, sometimes a full year. Derting had the same surgery performed on the left knee in high school and on the right knee in his true freshman year at WSU.
“Knowing Will, he’ll come out of this thing,” said Doba, who was once his position coach at linebacker before becoming head coach. “His goal is to play in the NFL, and I’m sure he’ll get a chance to do it.”
But even Doba admitted the injury could force Derting to go the free-agent route. This year’s draft in April is the only one Derting is eligible for, and his recovery won’t be complete by then.
Derting has been invited to the NFL scouting combine and Doba said he’s encouraged Derting to go to try and make a positive impression with coaches and front office personnel. Tight end Troy Bienemann and running back Jerome Harrison have also earned combine invites, Doba said.