Injury bug hits Iowa State

AMES - Let's talk about the good news first.

Iowa State tailback Alexander Robinson's strained groin muscle is improving and he will be healthy enough to play in this weekend's Big 12 Conference opener against Kansas State (2-2) at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

The bad news: senior defensive end Rashawn Parker's career may be over after injuring his left knee during last Saturday's 31-10 win over Army.

Coach Paul Rhoads said last night on his radio show he was still waiting for results from Parker's MRI taken earlier in the day. Rhoads acknowledged he was fearing the worst, which would mean a ligament tear.

The injury occurred on an Army running play to the opposite side of the field. Parker tried to avoid a cut block - which was done legally, Rhoads said - but couldn't get out of the way.

His consecutive games started streak will end at 28.

“He's one of my good friends. You feel so bad for him,” said ISU quarterback Austen Arnaud. “He's one of the pillars of this program and a guy who embodies Cyclone football. It sucks to lose someone like Rashawn Parker, especially before Big 12 season starts.”

Sophomore Patrick Neal and red-shirt freshman Roosevelt Maggitt will fill the void left by Parker, a starter on the defensive line since he was a true freshman in 2006.

He had 13 tackles and two sacks this year and for his career Parker's totaled 86 tackles, 13 for a loss, and eight sacks.

“Losing Rashawn is big,” Neal said. “All I can do is try to help step up and contribute the best I can.”

Neal, the brother of former Cyclone basketball player John Neal, has played a variety of positions in his short career.

Rhoads moved the 6-0, 230-pounder to defensive end after spending spring practice at linebacker. Neal also played a tight end/fullback hybrid and caught a touchdown pass last season against Missouri.

Robinson's health is of upmost importance to the 3-1 Cyclones, who oddsmakers have tabbed at 3-point favorites.

The junior is the second-leading rusher in the Big 12, averaging 113.8 yards a game. He's scored five of the team's 12 touchdowns and is what makes the offense go.

Robinson pulled up lame after scoring his third touchdown of the game last week, a 32-yard pass from Arnaud along the sidelines.

He dragged his legs behind him while crossing the goal line and then clutched his groin area and collapsed to the turf.

“A lot of people thought I was showboating, but no. It was a little tight,” Robinson said. “It hurt at that time, yeah. Now it is feeling pretty good.”

He'll be getting hot and cold treatments throughout the week.

“He was moving around already (at practice Sunday) and I'm sure he'll wear out the trainers more than they'll wear him out as the week goes along,” Rhoads said.

-- Eric Petersen, news correspondent