Injured OT Crandal almost sure to have season-ending surgery

Steve Guiremand

Thursday, Aug. 19, 2004 | 9:59 a.m.

Starting offensive tackle Tyler Crandal met with UNLV team neurosurgeon Dr. Albert Capanna on Wednesday to have an MRI done on his aching back.

Crandal said after the meeting that it's "99 percent certain" that he will undergo back surgery to relieve pain from a bulging disc in his lower back. He would miss the season and face a rehabilitation period of four to six months.

"I have a (redshirt) year to use but I was really looking forward to playing this year," said Crandal, a 6-foot-7, 285-pounder from Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. "I could try and play this year but I'd probably be only around 80 percent.

"I figured it would be better for the team if I had the surgery."

Crandal said he injured the back while playing in UNLV's 23-5 victory at Wisconsin last year.

"I remember on the flight home I couldn't really move my leg," he said. "It was all tingling in there and stuff."

Crandal managed to play the remainder of the season and start the final nine games at right tackle with the aid of four epidurals. He had an MRI in January and decided to try to rehab the injury through an exercise routine.

"It was feeling better until we put the pads on this week," he said. "Then the pain really came back. ... The pain goes from your back and just shoots down your leg. It's tough to sit down or sleep. Actually, it feels the best when I'm just standing here."

Although surgery on a back can be a scary prospect, Crandal said he's comforted by the fact that two of his teammates, starting inside linebacker Zach Bell and backup safety Nate Wederquist, both had the same operation and came back to play.

"It was one of the best things that ever happened to me," Bell, who had the operation two years ago, said. "It was such a big relief. I had constant pain in my lower back before."

With Crandal out, the Rebels will likely turn to his former Saddleback College teammate, sophomore Chris Bowser, to fill the spot. Another possibility is junior Zach Gorham, who started two games at right tackle last fall before suffering a knee injury. He switched to right guard in the spring.

A 6-foot-5, 310-pounder, Gorham spent much of Wednesday night's practice working at tackle.

"When Ty went down they decided to shove me back outside," Gorham said. "I'll help out whatever way I can. I've played the position before so I do have some familiarity with it. Right now they have me working out at both spots."

"We couldn't get it popped in on the field so they took him to Sunrise Hospital," trainer Kyle Wilson said.

Asnarian, a senior transfer from Arkansas State, was back to watch the night practice with his arm in a sling. Wilson said he will be sidelined at least a week.

The event, including parking, is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the squad scheduled to take the field about 7 p.m. for the workout, which is expected to last about an hour.