UH safety restless while recovering
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
For injured University of Hawai'i football player Leonard Peters, the cure is nearly as bad as the diagnosis.
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The doctors "want me to rest," Peters said, "but I can't just rest and do nothing. I want to hurry back."
Leonard Peters may be allowed to practice in 4-to-6 weeks.
Peters, a redshirt freshman from Kahuku High, suffered injuries to his spleen and a kidney during a practice session last Monday. At first, it was believed he bruised both organs, but subsequent medical tests showed the tears to the spleen and kidney.
Peters was hospitalized for four days, and was told that with rest, he might be allowed to practice in 4-to-6 weeks.
He is scheduled to undergo a CAT scan Wednesday at the Queen's Medical Center.
"If the doctors clear me on the spot, I'm going right to practice," Peters said.
But even if the tears are healed, it is unlikely Peters will be ready to play before the Warriors' third game of the season, at Texas-El Paso.
"It's frustrating," said Peters, who graduated from Kahuku in 2000 and delayed enrolling at UH until last year. He received a medical hardship after suffering a knee injury last season.
Peters and Chad Kapanui were competing for the starting job at strong safety when a teammate inadvertently ran into Peters during a passing drill. X-rays showed there was internal bleeding, with bruises as the probable cause.
Even after the tears were confirmed, doctors decided surgery was unnecessary.
"Because of my age, they wanted to see if my body would heal on its own," Peters said.
Peters said the "injury feels like I have a cramp on the side of my hip, underneath my ribs."
He said he already has lost about five pounds.
"I'm just waiting for the CAT scan," he said. "If it looks good, maybe I can come back next week. I don't want to miss any more time. I already missed one year."
Peters said he plans to attend this morning's practice. Since being discharged from the hospital Friday, he has been recuperating at his family's home on the North Shore.
"I have to get back," Peters said. "I can't just sit around and rest. I'm ready to go right now."
Meanwhile, backup safety Matt Manuma is recovering from a knee injury. That forced the UH coaches to use cornerback Hyrum Peters at strong safety during Saturday's scrimmage. Peters also is the top nickelback.
