Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Hampton U kick returner Reggie Dixon is out with an injury


BY MARTY O'BRIEN, Daily Press

Broken collarbone might sideline him for the season

Some say Reggie Dixon is so fast that all you can really see of him are his vapor trails. Hampton University football fans might have to wait a year to see even those, because Dixon is sidelined by a broken collarbone.

Hampton coach Joe Taylor said Tuesday that Dixon sustained the injury in practice on Friday. Taylor added that Dixon will miss a minimum of eight weeks.

Dixon, a 5-foot-7, 160-pound true freshman, would've started as a kickoff returner and played as a reserve wide receiver. But Taylor said that it is likely that Dixon will redshirt this season.

"He'll probably need surgery, and when he comes back he's going to get hit," Taylor said. "I'd like to see him get into the weight room and get a little stronger,"

Dixon was a two-time New Jersey state champion at 55 meters for Plainfield High. His 6.31-second 55 ranks second best in New Jersey prep history.

Taylor said that defensive back James Butts will replace Dixon at kickoff returner. He'll partner with Kevin Teel, who finished second in Division I-AA last season with a 31.2-yard return average in addition to returning one kickoff for a touchdown.

Butts a true freshman from Maury High, is also one of the Pirates' fastest players. He ran a 4.3-second 40 at practice recently and will also play as a reserve cornerback.

The Pirates open the season on Sept. 8 at Howard.

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