ProRodeo Sports News - January 12, 2018

Brennon Eldred was already injured with a pulled groin before the WNFR started. Despite that injury and a concussion in Round 5, he was back in the chutes for Rounds 8-10. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Greg Westfall

“I think they get over the soreness in Round 4 and then a few yankings force them in again,” Foster said. Total treatments for the year remained stable for Justin Sportsmedicine with a total of 8,385 treatments conducted. In 2016, their total was 7,833 and in 2015 they had 8,400. “Barring any freak rash of injuries, we should be leveled out with consistent staff and treatments, so it makes sense that we would hover around the 8,000-mark for treatments,” Foster said. Total injuries for the year across all PRCA rodeos remained consistent as well with 1,437 – about 100 more than in 2016. “In years past, they were learning about the program and riding with injuries,” Foster said. “But, the best thing is to get ahead of the injury cycle. Before, it would go up and down and they would ride injured, but now they report their injuries.” ELDRED ENDURES Eldred was injured before the WNFR started with a pulled groin from about a month prior. “It was the groin injury that was bothering me the whole time,” Eldred said. “That, for bull riders, is the most debilitating injury,” Foster said, as he speculated that Eldred’s groin injury could have been a factor in him getting bucked off and suffering a concussion that kept him out for Rounds 6 and 7. “When you’re not fully healthy, you run the risk of further injury or another injury. Brennon had more challenges that people didn’t see behind the scenes.” “I think it had something to do with the concussion,” Eldred said. “I had

it wrapped good, but I lost my feet and then it was over from there.” When a cowboy gets a concussion, there’s a thorough injury protocol that must be successfully completed before he can return to competition. The injured cowboy must be free of all symptoms, such as headaches and memory division issues. “It’s a battery of an exam that we do that’s a complete exam to monitor him for a couple of days,” Foster said. “Once he’s symptom-free, he goes on to an exertion test the day prior to riding.” Eldred spent the majority of the next two days in his hotel room with the lights off to help the recovery process. “There’s not much you can do but stay in a dark room and chill,” Eldred said. “It sucked sitting out for those two rounds and watching everyone else compete, but I was anxious to get back. I don’t like sitting out, I’ve made 36 or 37 consecutive trips at theThomas and Mack (Center) without getting hurt, but that happened, and it sucked.” The day after his injury, light was still bothering Eldred and he wasn’t feeling quite right. “He (Eldred) more or less chilled out with good nutrition and did some walking,” Foster said. “As soon as they are feeling well, we have themmove and be mildly active. It’s chilling and rest, and then more active daily living and then a mild workout to make sure everything stays clear. If you stress it, it’s going to show up again.” “I had to sit out those rounds and then I never recovered from it,” Eldred said. “Getting off on a tough start dang sure didn’t make it easier.” Eldred was bucked off his first five bulls and was unable to make a successful ride after his recovery in Rounds 8-10.

ProRodeo Sports News 1/12/2018

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