Sorensen likely finished after another head injury

Steve Guiremand

Monday, Aug. 19, 2002 | 9:17 a.m.

Unless he can do a good job of convincing coach John Robinson otherwise, it appears UNLV starting defensive end Trevan Sorensen has taken his last snap as a Rebel.

Sorensen, who was being counted on to take over at left defensive end for all-Mountain West Conference pick Anton Palepoi this season, suffered his second neck injury in a little over four months during two-a-day workouts Friday at Rebel Park. And although UNLV is thin at defensive end, Robinson said he doesn't want to see Sorensen be injured again.

"I don't think he's going to play again," Robinson said shortly after UNLV's scrimmage on Saturday night at Sam Boyd Stadium. "We haven't made a final decision. (Sorensen) and I are going to talk. But it just doesn't bode well."

The 6-foot-4, 283-pound Sorensen first injured his neck while taking part in a pass rush drill during the first day of spring practice April 2. He laid motionless on the practice field for about 20 minutes before being taken to the UMC Trauma Center by paramedics. He spent three days in the hospital with what Rebel trainer Kyle Wilson called "a stretching of the spine" which caused the senior from Colton, Calif., to lose all feeling in his arms and legs for about 30 minutes.

Sorensen, considered an NFL prospect, sat out the rest of spring drills and was cleared for fall pratice. But he reinjured the neck and suffered another concussion on Friday morning after getting hit in the head. His neck was immediately placed in a brace.

"It kind of got numbed," Robinson said. "He never lost consciousness but he developed a bad headache. He wasn't feeling very well most of (Friday).

"I don't know. I think he's probably finished. This game is not that important."

Sorensen's loss means UNLV will be without two projected defensive starters for its Aug. 31 opener against Wisconsin at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Preseason all-MWC linebacker Ryan Claridge, expected to the leader of the Rebel defense, will likely miss at least the first month of the season with an abdominal injury.

It also means that J.C. All-American Chris Eagen will likely start at left defensive end. Senior Ahmad Briggs, a preseason all-conference pick, will man the right side. Redshirt freshman Leon Moore, JC transfer Shaun Siaki and J.C. walk-on Pete Dunbar are the top backups.

"I actually think that Chris Eagen can perform just about as well (as Sorensen)," Robinson said. "I just don't know what we would do if we had any more injuries there. Depth is getting to be a real problem."

UNLV concludes its two-a-day workouts Wednesday.