UPDATE (Thursday): CCU coach David Bennett said David Duran "tried to" practice Thursday. His status remains uncertain. "We hope he can [play]," Bennett said.
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As of Wednesday, senior tight end David Duran's status for Coastal Carolina's game Saturday at Liberty was still uncertain.
Duran, a two-time all-Big South selection, sat out the Chanticleers' win over VMI last weekend with a sore shoulder and has been hopeful he can return for the trip to Lynchburg, Va.
"We'll see. He's going to take it day by day," CCU offensive coordinator Kevin Brown said Wednesday. "He tried to do a little bit [Wednesday morning] -- he had a little pain. ... If he can play, he'll play. He's a tough individual. We've got a little gameplan for him, got a little gameplan without him."
With fellow senior tight end Jamie Childers also sidelined with a knee injury, the Chants would need to get creative if Duran can't play.
They have moved sophomore offensive lineman Will Middleton to tight end and have also increased reps for senior Mike Limoli. Brown also suggested that receivers Akeem Wesley and Jamaul Boswell could line up at tight end, or the Chants could go with more four-receiver sets.
"We have some guys that can take that role," Brown said. "We'll see. We'll give them an opportunity to step up and make a play."
Middleton was actually committed to South Carolina as a tight end at one time, so he has experience at the position.
"When he got here, we were so deep at tight end and we were very thin at tackle," Brown said. "... Actually, he's got great hands. He really does."
But the Chants' hope, of course, is that Duran is able to play. He remains just two catches away from becoming the first Big South tight end to 60 career receptions.
"If David can go, David will go. We'll see," Brown said. "And even if he goes, that shoulder's sore, so he can be out [after] one play. So we have to prepare for it like he's not there."
As for Childers, CCU coach David Bennett didn't offer much new information about the knee injury the senior sustained after taking a hard hit on an aerial catch Saturday or when he might be able to return.
"It's damaged a little bit, but not as bad as we thought," Bennett said.
| Ryan Young, ryoung@thesunnews.com
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