DB might miss 6-8 weeks
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
University of Hawai'i football player Leonard Peters will miss up to eight weeks after suffering bruises to his spleen and a kidney during Monday morning's practice, UH officials said yesterday.
The team physician, Dr. Andrew Nichols, said medical tests indicate Peters did not suffer any internal lacerations, and that surgery will not be required. But because of the location of the bruises, Nichols said, it is likely Peters will not be able to play football for six to eight weeks.
Nichols said Peters, a freshman safety, will remain at The Queen's Medical Center for at least the next few days while his blood count is monitored.
"If he is released by this weekend, that will be a good starting point," Nichols said.
"I'm crushed," said Rich Miano, who coaches the UH defensive backs. "I'm devastated. Leonard is a great kid. He was going to help us on defense and special teams. When I heard about the seriousness of his injury, it really hit home. This is going to be a big setback."
Peters, a 2000 Kahuku High graduate, delayed enrolling at UH until last year. He was granted a medical hardship after suffering a knee injury last season.
He was listed as the top strong safety at the end of spring practice in April. But during the summer, junior Chad Kapanui, who lost 20 pounds yet maintained his strength, moved ahead of Peters on the depth chart.
"I was starting from the first day of practice," Kapanui said.
Said Miano: "I wouldn't say (Kapanui) won the job, but he was contending for the starting job. It was a day-to-day thing. Leonard could have had a good day and Chad could have had a bad day and dropped down (to second team). Unfortunately, Leonard got hurt."
For now, David Gilmore is the top backup to Kapanui at strong safety. Keith Bhonapha, who is the dime back when the Warriors employ six defensive backs, and Matt Manuma also can play that position.
In UH's defensive scheme, the two safeties are interchangeable, with the strong safety playing on the opposing tight end's side of the field. The difference is the strong safety often is used as a fourth linebacker in blitz packages.
