Bonner On ‘Short Leash’ As Recovery From Knee Injury Continues

LOGAN, Utah – Often times, the most difficult hurdle for an athlete to overcome when rehabbing an injury is the mental block that comes when stepping back on the field.

For Utah State’s graduate senior quarterback Logan Bonner, his slow start to the 2022 season could be linked to a lack of trust in his surgically repaired left knee.

Bonner underwent an ACL reconstruction after suffering the injury in the Aggies bowl win over Oregon State in January.

.@USUFootball's Logan Bonner is 35-for-69 with 3⃣ INT's and 3⃣ TD's.

His 50.7% completion rate is nearly 11% below last season when he completed 263-for-429.

Bonner averaged 259.1 yards/game in 2021. Just 146.6 yards/game in 2022.#AggiesAllTheWay @kslsports

— Brian Preece (@bpreece24) September 19, 2022

Aggie head coach Blake Anderson said of Bonner’s recovery, “Physically, I would tell you he’s sound. He’s been checked, rechecked and triple checked. The knee is structurally sound.”

Despite the clean bill of health, Bonner spoke with the team about his own hesitation during Utah State’s bye week.

“He has been open that he is struggling a little bit anxiety wise with truly trusting his body.”

It’s one thing for the doctor’s to say a player is good to go. But feeling comfortable on the field and in the pocket with bodies at your feet takes reps.

In their weekly press conference ahead of UNLV, Anderson said Bonner has acknowledged that he needs to be better.

“He knows that he can’t continue second guessing what the knee will and won’t do. He has been very open and transparent with the staff and the team; ‘Guys, this is something I want to do. I will do it. You can trust me to do it,’ Anderson said of Bonner’s accountability.

The Aggies can no longer afford to run Bonner back out on the field if his struggles don’t improve in the Aggies Mountain West opener against UNLV.

GAME 4️⃣ | vs UNLV

🏟 Maverik Stadium
⌚️ Saturday | 5:00 PM MT
📺 @CBSSportsNet
Notes ➡️ https://t.co/mSVbtSKqn9

TICKETS ➡️ https://t.co/dtg7WqTGyy#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/3FMTykZdIv

— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 19, 2022

“This is a pivotal week moving forward. He’s earned the right to show that he can do it and I expect he’s gonna go out and be the guy he is capable of being. If he doesn’t, we’re gonna move on at quarterback at some point very quickly. I am hoping this week proves that he can get there.”

Up Next

Riding a two game losing streak, the Aggies (1-2) welcome in the UNLV Rebels (2-1) to Maverik Stadium in the Mountain West Conference opener for each team on Saturday, September 24. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. (MST).

Every Utah State football game can be heard on the KSL Sports Zone with Scott Garrard and former Aggie quarterback Kevin White on the call.

 

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