:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/687519/8820462-standard.jpg)
The unfortunate side effect of spring practice is that someone, somehow, is going to get injured along the way. For Syracuse, it's been a battle for a few seasons. And this year it hasn't been too different.
The Orange lost TE Carl Cutler to a torn ACL, nose tackle Ollie Haney to a labral tear and now right tackle Sean Hickey to a tear in the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
An MRI on Wednesday revealed the tear, according to a release from the football office. The injury will not require surgery, but as a result of the rehabilitation process Hickey will not return for the rest of spring practice.
Hickey is listed as a sophomore on the SU roster, but he did not play in any games last season and has all four years of eligibility remaining.
Hickey is a back-up so it's not a crushing loss but I don't need to tell you how important O-line depth is. Plus, Marrone has been excited about Hickey so far this spring.
The good news is that the offensive line is in a good place. So says offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
"The offensive line has done some great things. Obviously they’re somewhat of a veteran group," he said. "And that’s the most exciting thing, because we’re really going to be able to run the ball this year, which is good."
Hackett also raves about Antwon Bailey, Alec Lemon and Jarrod West. That last one is a great sign as West seemed poised for big things before injuring himself last season.