James Rodgers Returns To Oregon State Football, Will Suit Up Saturday

Oregon State WR James Rodgers Will Play Against UCLA On Saturday

Oregon State senior receiver James Rodgers will return to the Oregon State active lineup this Saturday when the Beavers host the UCLA Bruins in the Pac-12 Conference opener for both teams, head coach Mike Riley announced Wednesday.

Rodgers is coming back from two knee surgeries after suffering a season-ending injury while scoring a touchdown in Oregon State's win over Arizona in October of 2010.

He was granted a fifth year of eligibility as he was eligible per NCAA rules for a medical hardship.

Rodgers is fourth at OSU for career receiving yards with 2,064 and third for receptions with 177. He holds the school record for all-purpose yards with 5,784, which currently ranks fourth among active FBS players. So, you can imagine the Beavers are excited to get him back in the line-up.

For more on Rodgers' attempt to return and other Oregon State news, be sure to check out Building the Dam.

James Rodgers Injury: Oregon State WR Not Yet Cleared

Oregon State's Mr. Everything James Rodgers has been showing signs of being ready, but coach Mike Riley announced on Tuesday that Rodgers has not yet been fully cleared by doctors. Rodgers, who has seen time at wide receiver, running back and kick returner, has been out since undergoing major knee surgery about 10 months ago.

In the meantime, Riley is preparing for the possibility that Rodgers will not be immediately available. Among the players that would likely see increased playing time are 6-foot-5 Obum Gwacham, who stands about 10 inches taller than Rodgers.

"We’re looking at a lot of contingencies at that receiver deal because we have the unknown with James," Riley said. "If James plays, or if he’s coming back at some point – if that’s a reality – then how do we set this lineup? If James is not going to play, how do we set this lineup?"

For more on Rodgers' attempt to return and other Oregon State news, be sure to check out Building the Dam. 

James Rodgers Shining In Early Oregon State Practices

SB Nation’s Building The Dam celebrates the return of James Rodgers, whose recent knee surgery doesn’t seem to be slowing him down in cone drills:

Rodgers’ performance almost seemed to be a quiet rebuttal to the Portland media, which seems to be united in calling for Rodgers to be held out until at least the UCLA game. Both papers’ primary writers have said so, and on the Morning Sports Report on 750 the Game, host Chad Doing even went so far as to say Riley is crazy to let Rogers on the field without a knee brace, and would be equally off-balance were he to even consider using Rodgers in a kick return role.

Riley of course is being cautious after the two major surgeries it took to repair the damage Rodgers suffered just before halftime in last year’s Arizona win. But sooner than later, it will be decision time, and unless there is a major setback once full action drills start that there currently is no reason apparent to expect, the question will be whether Riley plays his best players or not.

James Rodgers Injury Update: Oregon State Speedster Cleared For 'Limited Practice'

James Rodgers, the best wide receiver the Oregon State football team had last season, has been cleared to practice again following last year's season-ending knee injury. The Beavers' dynamo and older brother of Jacquizz Rodgersmet with doctors on Thursday and seems to be close to returning according to a statement from coach Mike Riley.

Rodgers has been "cleared to practice in a limited fashion, for a to be determined amount of time," Riley said in a statement (via SB Nation's Building The Dam). "We will have more information after another meeting with the physican and the training staff at some point next week."

The good news, or at least better than bad news, came after Rodgers met with doctors at Stanford University on Tuesday. He has another meeting scheduled next week where he'll hopefully find out the "to be determined" length of time mentioned above.

This is just another reminder, of course, that football season is upon us and everyone should be able to be excited about something. Hopefully Rodgers gets more good news soon and is cleared for opening weekend.

Will James Rodgers Stay In School?

Oregon State's elder Rodgers brother is sidelined for the season, and the team at least intends to apply for a medical redshirt on his behalf:

Oregon State will submit paperwork to the Pacific-10 in January – teams must wait until the season is over – to get Rodgers a medical hardship, which would allow him to return next season and finish his career in Corvallis with his younger brother, Jacquizz. The Pac-10 generally rules on such requests in March.

So there's every likelihood that he can stay. But will he?

Rodgers made an appearance at OSU's practice yesterday, and spoke to the media regarding his future.  In not so many words, the wide receiver/return specialist says he's not made a decision as to whether he will return for another season of college ball -- a waiver would seem to be a slam dunk -- or make himself available for next April's NFL draft.

"I have a lot of time to think about that," Rodgers said. "I'll talk to coach (Mike) Riley and get his input on everything. And make my decision when the time comes."

Since he has never redshirted, Rodgers should meet all the requirements for a hardship waiver. However, he is on track to graduate after this term, so he would have to take additional undergraduate courses or enroll in graduate school to remain eligible.

It's not much to go on, but it's there. It's sad to think there's a possibility the Rodgers Bros. era is over for good in Corvallis, but it'd be hard to knock a kid who'd already completed his education for not sticking around. Still, for now, he's making his presence known on the field via golf cart and assisting Mike Riley with gameplanning. Get well soon, speedy.

Oregon State's James Rodgers Will Miss Remainder Of Season With Knee Injury

James Rodgers, Oregon State's leading wide receiver, will miss the remainder of the season with an undisclosed left knee injury. 

Rodgers, a senior, and brother of Beavers running back Jaquizz Rodgers, was tackled awkwardly from behind while catching a 56-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter of OSU's 29-27 over Arizona on Saturday; the play was disallowed because of an ineligible receiver downfield. There is video of the injury if you want to watch (note: you do not). 

Oregon State head coach Mike Riley released the following statement.

"We are tremendously disappointed with the news that one of our team captains and leaders is sidelined for the rest of the season. I know James will stay very involved with the team during his rehabilitation process and we look forward to his return as soon as possible."

The small silver lining in all of this is that Rodgers is eligible for a medical hardship year -- "due to also missing 5 quarters as a result of the concussion he suffered in the Boise St. game, Rodgers has played in less than 30% of the total of the regular season." The team has already said it plans to submit an application for a firth year at the end of the season.  

In four games this season, Rodgers had 16 receptions for 215 yards and two touchdowns. 

For more reaction and all things Oregon State, visit Building The Dam.