Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - Butler Bulldogs guard Rotnei Clarke was
cleared for practice on Thursday after suffering a neck injury on Jan. 12.
Clarke was carted off on a stretcher during the first half of a game against
Dayton. He was cleared to rejoin the team and took part in a full workout on
Thursday.
"Rotnei saw a spine specialist again this morning and everything looks stable
and he has no symptoms, so he was cleared for full contact," said Butler head
athletic trainer Ryan Galloy. "We will evaluate him again tomorrow (Friday)
and then make a decision about Saturday."
The Bulldogs' season-leading scorer was injured on a fastbreak play, where
he took a hard foul from Dayton's Matt Derenbecker and collided head first
into the padded area of the backboard stand. He remained on the ground for
several minutes before he was helped onto a stretcher.
He was taken to a hospital for X-rays, but was discharged and traveled back
to Indianapolis with the team.
Butler has gone 2-1 since the game against Dayton, including a 54-53 loss to
La Salle on Wednesday. The team hosts Temple on Saturday.
The Sports Network