Former Bradwell Institute and Georgia State football player Ulrick John sustained an ankle injury in the Indianapolis Colts’ preseason opener against the Jets Thursday night. The Colts lost 13-10.
According to various news reports, John injured his right ankle and needed trainers to help him off the field.
John said he is in good spirits and was seen by team doctors the following day. Understandably frustrated, John did share what it felt like to step out on Gillette Stadium for his first professional debut.
“It was great,” he said. “It just felt perfect being out there. Once I stepped on the field all the nerves and everything went out the window. I was just ready to play, and it was a fun experience.”
Friends and family have taken to John’s Facebook page, posting well wishes and a speedy recovery.
The Colts picked John in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft, the 232nd pick overall.
One source, Colts beat writer Stephen Holder, reported that John’s ankle was broken. Holder announced the Colts plan to place John on the injured reserves list. That means John will have the opportunity to recover and compete for a roster spot next season and can still be with the team.
“It does take some of the stress off the situation knowing that I can just get healthy and strong to come back next year a compete even harder,” John said.
As of press time, no official word from the Colts organization has been released regarding John’s status.
In 2012 the NFL and the Player’s Union accepted a revision to the IR rule.
The rule allows teams to bring back one player during the season if that player was put on injured reserve. The player must have sustained a “major” injury, defined as missing at least six weeks. The player would have to be designated as eligible to return when he is placed on injured reserve. He can return to practice after six weeks and can be activated after eight weeks.
The old rule put IR players out for the season. The revision allows designated players to return late in the season and for the playoffs.
The rule change could open the door for John to return sooner should the Colts designate him eligible. The designation would come around the time they make their final 53-man roster cuts.