Jeff Tuel Injury: New Injury For Cougars' Quarterback Is Acute Compartment Syndrome

Washington State's quarterback, Jeff Tuel, just cannot catch a break anymore. First it was a broken clavicle, then it was a bad calf bruise, and now it is acute compartment syndrome, a very serious injury if not treated immediately.

Vince of The Spokesman Review has the update: 

After suffering a calf bruise against Oregon State, Tuel took the bus ride home with the rest of the team, spent Sunday in the training room getting treatment on his calf and clavicle - a CAT scan was taken and the bone isn't fractured again, just aggravated - and went home. That night the calf started to really hurt - sound familiar? - and Tuel let the training staff know.

He immediately checked himself in at Pullman Regional Hospital and doctors found the beginning of acute compartment syndrome, the same aliment that caused so much pain for running back James Montgomery a couple years ago.

This is obviously very scary for Tuel, his family, teammates, coaches and fans, though it was not as bad as it could have been:

Tuel's was caught so early there was no need for any surgery, the calf, while still painful, should heal fine and he should be healthy soon. But in time for the rest of this football season? He could be back but maybe not.

At this point a return to the football field this season would be nice, but Jeff's health and wellbeing obviously come first and foremost. No one is quite sure how long his recovery will take, but it is imperative for those around him to show patience every day. This is bigger than football.

For more on the situation, be sure to check out Coug Center and their take on the injury.

Jeff Tuel Injury: Tuel Could Be Cleared In Three Weeks

Washington State head football coach Paul Wulff talked about the status of Jeff Tuel's broken collarbone on a Seattle radio show Thursday, stating that the injured quarterback could be cleared to play in as little as three weeks.

Initial reports were for a 5-8 week recovery period for his fractured clavicle, and Tuel likely will need more time to heal than coach Wulff's optimistic outlook. The 6'3" 223 pound junior is set to undergo further evaluations next week about the progress of his injury, when there could be a clearer idea of how far along he is to being football ready once again. 

Tuel is very excited to get back on the field, throwing when he can with his left arm tightly to his chest, while getting in cardio sessions on the stationary bike as much as possible. Although a broken collarbone needs it's time to come back together, Tuel sounds like he will be ready to go once it's good to go. 

Jeff Tuel Injury: Paul Wulff Says QB Out 5-8 Weeks

Jeff Tuel's injury just didn't look so good when it came out. His head coach Paul Wulff has this to say to Jason Puckett  of 950 KJR.

HC Paul Wulff says he's not 100-percent on Tuel injury but could be 5-6 weeks, perhaps 8 weeks at the most

Wulff did not rule out possibly using a redshirt for Jeff Tuel this season

Tuel will have another x-ray in two weeks, then they will re-evaluate after that

So circle these as one of the four games for which Tuel might return.

Oct. 15 Home versus Stanford Cardinal
Oct. 22 "Home" versus Oregon St. Beavers (CenturyLink Field in Seattle)
Oct. 29 Away at Oregon Ducks
Nov. 5 Away at California Golden Bears

Pretty brutal stretch for Tuel to try and get back in the thick of things. But there is some positive for the Washington St. Cougars. Tuel will miss the Colorado and UCLA games--both are road contests, but both should be absolutely winnable contests. If Washington State can get through their non-conference slate unscathed (their toughest contest is on the road against San Diego State), then they could probably be 3-2 or 4-1 before this brutal stretch, and would only need two more wins the rest of the way to get bowl eligibility. Not ideal, but certainly possible.

For more on Tuel and WSU football, go to CougCenter.

Jeff Tuel Injury: Broken Clavicle May Sideline WSU Quarterback 4-6 Weeks

After sitting out the first two series of the game with a stomach virus, Jeff Tuel took over a WSU offense with a 14-0 lead. Tuel, as many know, is a sign of hope for the Cougars, and perhaps the most promising player on the 2011 squad. But five plays into the season, disaster struck.

As Tuel rolled to his right on a scramble and headed toward the sideline, he was hit by Idaho State linebacker J. T. Albers. Tuel went down awkwardly, taking the brunt of the impact with the ground on his left shoulder. The result, we found out later, was a fractured clavicle.

You wouldn't know it from his reaction to the play. Tuel stayed in the game and even threw a pass on the next play before WSU settled for a field goal. He went to the sideline and said his shoulder felt "a little weird" and that he'd discovered a bump. As a precaution, he was taken to the locker room for x-rays, which revealed a fracture.

It's not all bad news for the Cougars. Backup quarterback Marshall Lobbestael was strong in relief, completing 14-19 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns. Lobbestael will be relied on to carry the offense while Tuel recovers from the injury.

While no timetable has been officially set, head coach Paul Wulff expects Tuel to be out "four to six weeks." Tuel's level of discomfort wasn't high on Saturday and it was not his throwing shoulder -- both of which are positive signs.

We'll be back with more on Jeff Tuel's injury as it becomes available in this StoryStream. For more on Washington State, head over to CougCenter.

Jeff Tuel Injury: WSU Quarterback Leaves Game With Broken Collarbone

Jeff Tuel was diagnosed with a broken clavicle, sustained in his first series of the year for WSU.