Mike Gundy explains decision to medically redshirt Justin Wright
Justin Wright has over 250 tackles in his six-season career, and he’ll be back for more next year. After suffering an injury against Central Arkansas, Oklahoma State decided to medically redshirt the veteran linebacker. On Monday, head coach Mike Gundy discussed the program’s thought process behind the decision.
“He doesn’t feel comfortable and he needs more rehab,” Gundy said. “You can’t put them out there if they don’t feel comfortable, especially in a violent position like he’s in. He just not comfortable and didn’t feel right, didn’t feel good practicing. It could be a month or so before he does, so that would burn a lot of games. He just felt more comfortable in doing [redshirting].”
While this is Wright’s first medical redshirt, he isn’t entirely unfamiliar with the process. Wright also redshirted his freshman season at Tulsa, where he spent his first five season before transferring to Oklahoma State in the winter.
While at Tulsa, Wright amassed 254 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, four pass breakups and eight quarterback hurries. For his efforts, Wright was two-time All-AAC honoree.
Naturally, Oklahoma State fans had high hopes for the veteran addition. However, Wright suffered a leg injury in his Cowboys debut. The 6-foot-2 LB attempted to fight through the pain and returned three weeks later in Oklahoma State’s 34-27 loss to Iowa State.
In the loss, Wright was limited by his injury and only able to record two tackles. Ultimately, Gundy and Wright opted to not push the injury further. Nonetheless, the Texas native already announced his intention to return next season.
“Goodluck to my boys tonight, and for the rest of the season,” Wright wrote on Twitter. “Surgery went great, I’ll be medical redshirting and I can’t wait to be back at it for next season and show y’all what I got in store! GO POKES.”
Although Gundy would obviously prefer Wright to be on the field, he isn’t worried about his linebacker corps.
“Our guys are playing good. They’re young,” Gundy said. “Nick Martin had 17 tackles against last year’s Big 12 champions, and they’re a really physical team. For him to have 17 tackles against that team was really good.
“[Xavier Benson] is playing good. [Jeff Roberson] is coming in and making some plays and helping. [Donovan Stephens] is doing a little bit. We would have loved to have [Wright] back out there to run around and give us some plays, but it just didn’t work out.”