Tulane Loses WR Roydell Williams to Injury
Sep 17, 2002 | Football
Sept. 17, 2002
NEW ORLEANS - Tulane wide receiver Roydell Williams will undergo surgery on his left ankle and will miss the remainder of the 2002 football season, Green Wave head coach Chris Scelfo announced Tuesday.
Williams, a junior from LaPlace, suffered a fracture of the distal tibia in his left leg late in the fourth quarter of Tulane's 24-20 loss to East Carolina on Saturday. Prior to the injury, Williams posted his top performance of the season with 10 catches for 87 yards versus the Pirates. He was honored as the team's offensive player of the week by Tulane coaches.
"It's a loss for our team, no question, from the standpoint of his productivity, his leadership and his work ethic," Scelfo said. "It's a big loss for him. He has worked really hard and was looking forward to this year. He had a great summer. It is a disappointing time for him and for his family; and for our team, it is a loss of a lot of production."
Williams has 15 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown on the season and has caught 97 passes for 1,375 yards and 14 scores in his career.
Team physician and reknowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Brunet will perform surgery on the bone tonight at Tulane University Hospital.
Scelfo said that with Williams' injury, some of Tulane's younger receivers will take a more prominent role in practice this week. Redshirt freshman Cletus McGee has backed up Williams this season and caught his first career pass versus East Carolina. A trio of true freshmen - Gary Malone, Bubba Terranova and Damarcus Davis - will also get more reps in practice this week.
"When you lose someone like Roydell, obviously it is a blow to you," Scelfo said. "We have to adjust on offense and get some other guys ready. Somebody will step up."
Tulane will apply for a medical hardship waiver for Williams.
