Shock notes: Another gem discovered in wide receiver Anthony Amos

Anthony Amos is considered a strong route runner, but he took a circuitous path to the Spokane Shock.

Coaches discovered Amos at an open tryout in Atlanta last November that included current Shock defensive lineman Dominique Duster. Amos stood out so much with his hands and precise routes that fourth-year coach Andy Olson called it “the best workout I’ve ever seen.”

Amos played two years at a junior college before walking on at Middle Tennessee, where he nearly posted a 1,000-yard season and earned first-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors. He was cut by the Dallas Cowboys late in training camp and had a tryout with Montreal of the CFL in 2014.

Amos was exploring his football options when he and his father saw an online notice about a Shock tryout.

“It has been a long road,” Amos said. “Throughout my life it’s been a long road. I had to start from the bottom, had to go out and prove to the coaches I can play. All my life it’s been like that. I take that and keep running with it.”

Olson couldn’t recall another player from an open tryout that has made a similar impact. Few ever get signed, let alone make the team.

Amos has been a bright spot at a position hit hard by injuries and a suspension. Amos has emerged as Spokane’s go-to receiver in the absence of Mike Washington (season-ending Achilles’ surgery) and Rashaad Carter, who is wearing a cast on his right forearm. Amos has averaged 9.5 catches for 101.5 yards in Spokane’s last four games.

“He should be a candidate for rookie of the year,” Olson said. “He’s one of the best rookies, if not the best, I’ve had at receiver. Very comparable to Kamar (Jordan) but craftier. He brings so much consistency for a rookie.”

Not bad for a 6-foot, 185-pounder who didn’t generate a great deal of interest when he left high school or college.

“They said I ran good routes and could catch really well but my 40 time was 4.6 coming out of (Middle Tennessee),” Amos said. “That’s the biggest thing I was working on during my year out of football.”

Amos didn’t play in the season opener and had just two catches for zero yards in week 2 against Philadelphia. In his last eight games, Carter has 54 receptions for 626 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Ruff going

Defensive end James Ruffin missed Friday’s loss against San Jose with an ankle injury. Fellow lineman Terrance Taylor missed his third straight game.

“I’ve been doing everything I can to get back on the field this week,” said Ruffin, who hadn’t missed a game in three seasons. “I went to physical therapy every day, iced my ankle every day. I went to work (mentoring kids in Coeur d’Alene) and put my foot up.”

Ruffin hurt his ankle when he stepped on the heel of an Arizona player on May 30. He knew his streak of consecutive games was coming to an end when he was in a boot last Wednesday and couldn’t walk.

“I’m still questionable for this week, but hopefully with a couple more days of treatment I’ll be ready to go,” Ruffin said. Taylor also participated in some drills Wednesday.

A patchwork line, led by Derrick Summers and Micah King, managed one sack and had several hits on San Jose quarterback Erik Meyer. Summers had an exceptional game, Olson said.

White recovering

Arizona’s Markee White, the former Shock receiver who suffered a broken back after crashing into a dasherboard against Spokane at the Arena on May 30, is on the mend in Phoenix.

White had surgery in Spokane on May 31.

“I spent about 90 minutes with him that Sunday morning before his surgery,” Olson said. “The surgery was long but he got through it and the doctors said he’ll make a full recovery.”

Peter Garbow, director of media relations for the Rattlers, said White should have a chance to return to football at some point if he chooses that route.

Players suspended

No charges had been filed as of Wednesday afternoon into an alleged theft case involving Shock players on May 23 at a Las Vegas lounge. Las Vegas police don’t release reports until suspects are charged.

On Friday, the day an article on the investigation ran in The Spokesman-Review, the Shock placed offensive lineman Mark Jackson and receiver Samuel Charles on league suspension.