***Update: The injury is officially being termed a wrist sprain now.
Coastal Carolina will be without one of its top defensive players for the near future as senior safety Marcus Lott underwent surgery Tuesday morning to repair what is being termed a wrist sprain.
Lott, a three-year starter who is tied for the team lead with 32 total tackles this season, injured his wrist during the Chanticleers' 63-27 loss at Liberty on Saturday, though he remained in the game afterward.
"The trainer told us three weeks, and I guess that [means] check him in three weeks to see if he's OK. But they've got to put a pin in there," CCU safeties coach Drew Watson said. "... He's going to be sorely missed, and anytime you lose a senior, that's harmful to them. I hate it for those guys. That's what you've got to say a prayer for -- for him to have a great senior year. That's what you want for him, to be able to play and finish."
Lott had a game-high 10 tackles against Liberty while also recording a tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a pass break-up. Watson said the veteran safety was hurt while defending a pass, but he was not sure exactly how the injury occurred.
"That's a tough kid," CCU head coach David Bennett said. "He had them tape it up and went back in the game. That tells you all you need to tell about him. The trainer said he'd [have] surgery and be back in three weeks. [Lott] said, 'The doctor mentioned something about being back in a week.' He said, 'I like what the doctor said.'"
Lott had started every game since his sophomore season. In his stead, the Chants (4-2, 1-1 Big South) will have to rely on a collection of young players to take on greater responsibilities.
Coastal has used a three-safety look on defense the majority of this season with Lott and sophomores Johnnie Houston and Philip George. True freshmen Denzel Rice and Miles Rankin and sophomore Pernell Williams (a converted cornerback) will rotate in to fill the void at one of the team's thinnest positions.
"The young guys are going to play," Watson said. "One way or the other, one of those young guys is going to play. ... I guess [it's better] it's halfway through the season and not the first or second game.
At least you've been through some more practices, and they've had a chance to understand things a little bit more."
Coastal Carolina hosts Gardner-Webb this Saturday night at Brooks Stadium.
"You've got to move on," Bennett said. "No matter who's injured, the game goes on."
| Ryan Young, ryoung@thesunnews.com
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