VT’s Blake DeChristopher says he’s hopeful about return

By Daryl Slater
Media General News Service
Published: September 16, 2008

Redshirt freshman right tackle Blake DeChristopher is optimistic that he will return for Saturday’s game at North Carolina. He has missed the past two games after suffering a bruised right kidney, knee and thigh on the first series of the season opener against East Carolina.

Beamer said last Saturday that there is a chance DeChristopher could return for North Carolina.

“Me getting my wind back is one of the big concerns, getting back to game shape,“ said DeChristopher, a Clover Hill High graduate.

He has practiced in a blue jersey (no contact) since last Wednesday, and though his knee remains sore, he said thinks he can get back in game shape this week. He said there’s a chance he might play just a few series Saturday, depending on how he feels.

DeChristopher said the hit that caused his injuries—one East Carolina player hit him from behind, another from the front—was the hardest he has ever experienced. But pain in his leg, not his kidney, kept him on the sideline for the rest of that game.

He didn’t even realize he injured his kidney until a couple days later, when he woke up with a sore lower back. He told the team doctor, and an MRI and urine test revealed the bruised kidney.