Lorenzo Booker to miss Georgia Tech game

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When it comes to injuries they usually come in bunches and they tend to happen at the same position. So far in 2003 the injury bug has hit the running backs.

The Florida State coaches and trainers would like to bring Greg Jones, who had 14 carries Saturday, and his surgically repaired knee along slowly but that is becoming increasingly difficult. In week one back-up tailback Leon Washington dislocated his elbow and will be out of action for at least two more weeks (more on Washington's injury status). Sophomore fullback Torrance Washington, would could also play some tailback, re-injured his MCL in preseason camp and had to have have his knee re-scoped. He will probably out until sometime next month. Finally, Ryan Reynolds, who as recently placed on scholarship, is just getting his feet back after breaking a rib in practice last month.

The latest injury hit to the position came Saturday night when Lorenzo Booker, who is also battling a nagging ankle sprain, sprained his MCL on a meaningless carry in the fourth quarter.

"On that play when I went in for the direct [snap], he landed on it the wrong way," Booker said. "It was my ankle at first, but it was all right."

The redshirt freshman scared onlookers on Sunday when he was seen walking around in a knee brace. However, he insists that the brace is just being worn as a precaution and that the injury is nothing serious.

"They're keeping it in a brace so that I don't move it, because if I move it I might stretch the ligaments," he said. "We're just going to keep it in a brace for like four days and they're going to let me run again. I can run right now, but they don't want me to.

"Next Monday I'll be practicing, I promise you. They [trainers] are making me do this. I can walk on my own. I can run on my own."

The plan is to sit Booker out this weekend so he can rest his knee and ankle. That means FSU will be precariously thin at tailback against Georgia Tech. Jones will be backed up by Willie Reid, who started the season at wide receiver, and former walk-on Ryan Reynolds. If FSU is forced to go deeper into the depth chart walk-on Marlin Napier is also available.

The Georgia Tech game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcast regionally by ABC.

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