Duke’s season hinges on Thomas Sirk’s return from Achilles injury
Thomas Sirk‘s torn Achilles tendon spelled doom for Duke football last season and his recovery is key for the Blue Devils to have success in 2016.
Duke football has turned the corner under head coach David Cutcliffe who turned the Blue Devils into a consistent winner. However, the 2016 season could tell a different story if the Blue Devils don’t have their starting quarterback, Thomas Sirk, back.
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After the 2015 season, Sirk ruptured his Achilles tendon during a workout in February. The 2016 season looked to be over before it started for Sirk. The initial report given was that Sirk’s goal was to play in Duke’s season opener. He said he was 75 to 80 percent recovered from the injury and there was a reason for optimism, still, no one knew if he would suffer a setback or make a full recovery.
With training camp getting underway, Duke is encouraged by his recovery and the confidence he’s approached his rehab. The team opens its season at home against North Carolina Central on Sept. 3 and while Cutcliffe hasn’t come right out and said Sirk will start the opener, he’s clearly impressed by Sirk’s recovery.
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“He’s working at an amazing pace but it’s too early to tell,” Cutcliffe said, via Greensboro.com. “But his confidence will play a big role.”
Duke needs him back more than just the passing game. He was the leading rusher with 809 yards and eight touchdowns. This is also why he needs to be careful with the Achilles. He doesn’t want to ruin his chance of coming back this season. Yet, he also understands his importance to the offense.
In the passing game, he managed the offense efficiently, throwing for 2,624 yards, 16 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions in 12 games. The team needs his senior leadership especially since last year’s leading receiver Max McCaffrey is gone.
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The ACC has definitely seen their rise. It’s been built on Cutcliffe’s offensive brilliance and that can only be achieved with Sirk under center otherwise, it could be a long season for Duke, one they haven’t experienced since Cutcliffe took over the program.