Douglas eying senior day return against the Bobcats
Published 7:19 pm Tuesday, November 13, 2018
- Troy wide receiver Deondre Douglas (80) catches a touchdown pass over Boise State safety Jordan Happle (32) and safety Kekoa Nawahine (10) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. Boise State won 56-20. (Photo/Thomas Graning)
After missing the last two games due to injury, Troy wide receiver Deondre Douglas aims to return to the lineup on Saturday against Texas State.
Douglas injured his foot during Troy’s game against South Alabama and was forced to miss the next two games against Louisiana-Lafayette and Georgia Southern.
“I’ve been good,” Douglas said. “It is a little frustrating getting hurt, obviously, especially if you can’t play. It’s been a little frustrating.”
Douglas has been battling turf toe the last couple of weeks and there is only so much the wide receiver could do to heal up.
“There’s not much you can do,” Douglas said. “It’s all about rest. Resting, resting, resting.”
Douglas has a total of 35 catches for 354 yards this season with six touchdowns.
“I’m hopeful he is going to be back on the practice field tomorrow; we need him,” said Troy head coach Neal Brown. “we need Deondre to come back and be a force for us. He needs to be a guy that we can go to and create plays for and create opportunities for. He is ready mentally and physically, we think he will be able to give us some work on Tuesday and Wednesday and play on Saturday.”
With Douglas on the shelf, Damion Willis has provided the spark for the Troy offense. Over the last three games, Willis has accumulated 18 receptions for 402 yards and has had three touchdowns. Against the Ragin’ Cajuns, Willis hauled in 10 catches for 213 yards.
“I loved it. I love seeing that,” Douglas said. “That’s the thing. That receiving corps room, we’re so close. We’re all for each other. When somebody makes a big play, it amps everybody up. It’s such a good vibe in the room. We really do bond together.”
Although it has been fun watching Willis and the other receivers the last two weeks, Douglas is itching to get back on the field.
“It’s been pretty tough,” Douglas said. “It’s always tough not being able to play, but that was the first time in my career that I’ve missed a game. It was a little rough. I got through it. Now I’m ready to get back out there.”
Douglas will be one of 14 Troy seniors that will be honored during senior day on Saturday.
“Man, I tell you what – winning definitely goes fast,” Douglas said. “Compared to my freshman year where we didn’t win as many games as we do now, this senior season has like flew by. As far as offseason – winter workouts, all that – even to now, it’s like ‘snaps fingers’.”