If there was any remaining doubt as to whether Connor Cook’s injured throwing shoulder would prevent him from playing in Michigan State’s season-defining showdown at Ohio State this Saturday, Cook’s comments Tuesday likely put those concerns to bed. “My shoulder’s good, I’m gonna be ready to go,” he said, per the Detroit Free-Press. There’s no issue with that.” The senior quarterback was hit by Maryland defensive end Jesse Aniebonam in the first half of the Spartans’ win over the Terps last Saturday and did not enter the game after halftime, with television cameras showing images of Cook wincing in pain on the sideline following the hit. But he said after the game he could have re-entered if necessary. Cook has reiterated this week that the injury would not prevent him from playing Saturday, saying Monday the “shoulder’s great” and “feels good” (though he declined to specify how much he’d practiced this week, or what treatment he’d undergone). Spartans coach Mark Dantonio echoed those comments Tuesday, placing his confidence that Cook would play at “9.5” on a 1-to-10 scale. With backup Tyler O’Connor failing to make much of an impression vs. the Terps (6 of 11, 44 yards, one touchdown, one interception) and the Buckeyes in Columbus being, well, the Buckeyes in Columbus, the Spartans almost certainly need a healthy Cook to come out with a win — one necessary to remain in the Big Ten East and College Football Playoff hunt. Whether Cook’s healthy enough to perform like the national superstar he is remains to be seen, but it’s the safest of assumptions we’ll see that question answered on the field rather than in the Spartans’ training room. Connor Cook did not play in the second half of Michigan State’s win over Maryland. (USATSI)
Continue Reading: Spartans QB Connor Cook (shoulder): I’m ‘ready to go’ vs. Ohio State
