Illinois didn’t take an X-ray Friday of linebacker John Holecek’s sprained ankle because the school didn’t consider it necessary. The Illini continue to call the injury just a bad sprain and won’t rule out the All-Big 10 player from more than next Saturday’s game against Missouri in Champaign. They consider him a tough customer who can play with some discomfort.
Trainer Al Martindale also defused speculation that Soldier Field’s grass, already torn up by a Grateful Dead concert and soon facing an onslaught from Rolling Stones fans, was responsible for Holecek hurting himself on the opening series of downs in Washington State’s 10-9 victory Thursday night.
After watching tape of the incident, Martindale said Holecek incurred the sprain when he was pushed back by a block and another player rolled on his ankle as he was off balance.