Associated Press
GREENVILLE ó East Carolina isn’t sure if running back Dominique Lindsay will be ready for next week’s trip to Memphis.
The Pirates (4-3, 3-1 Conference USA) are coming off a 49-13 win against winless Rice, but they lost Lindsay to a left ankle injury. The senior had gotten off to a fast start, rushing for 78 yards on 12 carries before he was hurt on a pass play early in the second quarter.Coach Skip Holtz said Monday that Lindsay’s ankle is swollen and that he’ll likely be questionable for the Memphis game, scheduled for next Tuesday. Holtz said Lindsay would get treatment on the ankle and then see where he stood by Wednesday’s practices.
“He’s walking around on it, but I don’t know how long it’s going to be at this point,” Holtz said. “It might be three or four days or two weeks. We’re just going to have to wait and see.”
Lindsay, who has been listed as a starter along with Brandon Jackson, has run for a team-high 431 yards to go with three touchdowns. Losing Lindsay would be a damaging blow for the Pirates, who haven’t been able to move the ball through the air as effectively as everyone expected after quarterback Patrick Pinkney returned for a sixth year.
In addition, Jackson struggled to shoulder the rushing load after Lindsay’s injury and was repeatedly stuffed for negative yardage. Giavanni Ruffin ó who is listed alongside Lindsay on the depth chart for the Memphis game ó came on to run for a touchdown that helped the Pirates blow the game open.
The injury further depletes the Pirates’ backfield, which is already without Jon Williams (knee injury) indefinitely.
“It’s a shame because (Lindsay’s) playing with a lot of confidence,” Holtz said. “When you look at him and the other running backs, there’s a huge difference in yards per carry. We’re calling the same plays, running behind the same people and going against the same defenses. He’s just really doing a great job for us right now.”