Frederick probably won’t play tonight

Some of the questions surrounding Charles Frederick’s status with the Spokane Shock have been cleared up.

Frederick is coming back to Spokane after a family emergency kept him in Florida most of the week. The standout receiver probably won’t play tonight when Spokane faces the Albany Conquest at 7 in the Arena because he missed practices all week, coach Chris Siegfried said.

Frederick was en route to the Miami airport Friday morning. It wasn’t known if he would return in time to be in the Shock team photo Friday night.

“I’m just trying to get through this situation,” Frederick said in a phone interview. “I’m ready to come back and go.”

Frederick’s younger brother, Tyrone, was shot in the back of his leg last weekend. Frederick wouldn’t elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the shooting, but said his brother is “doing pretty good” and his injuries aren’t considered life threatening.

In addition, Frederick said his uncle Grady recently underwent successful open-heart surgery, but his recovery is on schedule.

Frederick has had limited contact with Shock officials – two phone calls and a text message – since the shooting, prompting concern that Frederick wasn’t planning on returning to the team.

Siegfried said he’s sympathetic to Frederick’s situation, but that doesn’t change the coaching staff’s plans for the game.

“I don’t think it would be fair to the other players (if Frederick plays tonight),” Siegfried said. “When it comes to playing or not playing, I have specific rules that I hand out for everything from meetings to practice and one of the main reasons I do that is for accountability. You can make exceptions based on circumstances, but my hands are tied in this situation.”

Frederick has been a touchdown-scoring machine of late with 19 TDs in Spokane’s last five games. Spokane figures to be without Frederick, receiver/linebacker Chris Stallworth (torn ACL) and defensive back Johnny Lamar, who sprained his ankle in practice.

Those absences will mean extended playing time for Antwone Savage and Kevin Beard, who will probably play “90 percent of the game on offense and defense,” Siegfried said. Former Eastern Washington Eagles Raul Vijil, Jesse Hendrix and Anthony Griffin are additional receiving options.

Perhaps of more concern to Shock fans is how the defense will fare against Albany’s potent offense, led by quarterback Ryan Vena. Siegfried tried to bring Vena to Spokane, but the af2’s total offense leader opted to play for veteran arena coach Pete Costanza.

“Central Valley, Quad City, Louisville and Albany are the best offenses we’ve faced consecutively all year,” Siegfried said. “Normally if you’re an offensive juggernaut you’re not as good on defense, but that makes for a great, entertaining shootout. Albany has a good pass rush, better than the ones we’ve seen in the last week, and they’ve added some players in the secondary that are pretty good.”

Spokane (8-2) is coming off a bye week. Albany (5-6) gave up a franchise-record 86 points last week to Louisville, which torched Spokane 79-69 the week before.