Oakland running back Jordan Brown to miss several weeks with broken leg

Oakland senior running back Jordan Brown will miss at least a majority of the regular season with broken fibula he suffered during last week's scrimmage at McCallie.

Patriots coach Kevin Creasy called the injury a "clean break", and Brown and his family opted for surgery, which he will have Friday. An optimistic timetable for his return would be the Oct. 4 Battle of the 'Boro contest at home against Riverdale.

"It's one of those deals where you can let it heal on its own or have surgery, and his folks have chosen surgery," Creasy said. "For his long-term future, that's the best. The recovery time is about the same, whether you have surgery or not.

"With a lot of rehab, we feel like he'll be hitting his stride right at the end of the season. He'll have to work his butt off during fall break (Oct. 7-11), but it will give him a chance to get in a little shape before the Battle of the 'Boro."

The injury occurred on a running play while Brown was being tackled.

"It was just a rare play to where my ankle just went the opposite way than my body and my weight was on that ankle," Brown said.

The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder was projected to be a big weapon in the Patriot backfield alongside fellow senior B.J. Connard.

"He was having as good a preseason as anyone we've had here," Creasy said.

He rushed for 582 yards and nine touchdowns last season at Blackman before transferring to Oakland.

The top two candidates to fill Brown's position are seniors Jaysean Menafee and Ronnie Rankins. 

"They're more bruising backs," Creasy said. "(Brown) ran with good vision and cuts. But they're big, strong guys."

Oakland graduated its top three running backs from last year, including Mr. Football finalist Xavier Myers, whose position Brown took over this season.

The defending Class 6A state champion Patriots defeated Brentwood Academy (2-0 in touchdowns in varsity play) Monday in a preseason scrimmage without Brown, following a 3-0 win over McCallie. Oakland's varsity has outscored its three scrimmage opponents (including Cane Ridge) by a combined 8-0 in touchdowns.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

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