Sam Hartman medically cleared to return to play, expected to start vs Vanderbilt

Wake Forest has reportedly made its decision. Sam Hartman is back — and he’ll be back under center on Saturday.

Hartman has been medically cleared to return to football and is expected to start the Demon Deacons’ Week 2 game against Vanderbilt, the program announced Tuesday afternoon. He missed the start of the season with a non-football related medical condition, but will be getting back onto the field soon.

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As it turns out, Hartman was dealing with a blood clot and that’s what kept him away from Wake Forest, according to his surgeon, Julie Freischlag. Hartman had the blood clot removed and is now ready to go after a follow-up appointment late last week, Fresichlag explained in her statement.

“Sam developed a blood clot in the subclavian vein,” Freischlag said in a statement. “This condition is known as Paget-Schroetter syndrome, or effort thrombosis. We suspect this occurred as a result of a previous infection that eventually caused inflammation. After our diagnosis on August 9, we first did a procedure to remove the blood clot. Secondly, we performed surgery to eliminate the pressure on the vein and then dilated the vein.

“On Friday, we did another follow-up ultrasound on Sam and everything looked great. The clot was gone, the blood flow was good and he felt great. Blood thinner therapies were discontinued once they became medically unnecessary and he is medically cleared to return to full competition. Sam is a wonderful young man and I, and our entire team, wish him all the best as he returns to the football field.”

Sam Hartman: ‘Let’s get it, Deacs!’

Hartman also released a statement about his return, crediting the medical staff for getting him ready and expressing his desire to get back onto the field. At the end, he had a message for Wake Forest fans.

“This process has made me appreciate all the people at Wake Forest University and around our football program for how they care for us as student-athletes,” Hartman said. “I am very appreciative of Dr. Julie Freischlag, Dr. Matthew Goldman, Niles Fleet and everyone on our medical staff who worked with me throughout this process.

“There will be time for me to tell my complete story, but right now I am just really excited to get back on the field with my teammates and compete each day to help our team get ready for Vanderbilt this Saturday in Nashville. Let’s get it, Deacs!”

Hartman had a big season for Wake Forest a year ago, throwing for 4,228 yards and 39 touchdowns to help the Demon Deacons to an 11-3 record, including a 7-2 mark in ACC play. They fell to Pitt in the conference championship game, but still clinched a Gator Bowl appearance and defeated Rutgers in the game.