Former NFL team doctor offers opinion on Matt Corral ankle injury

Former NFL team doctor David Chao took to Twitter to offer his opinion on the ankle injury Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral suffered in the Sugar Bowl. Chao offered both good and bad news in his analysis of the inury.

“By video, (really) high ankle injury,” the doctor wrote. “Not returning for (the) Sugar Bowl. At least (it’s) not ACL related. …Could affect his workout/combines but should not affect his overall draft status.”

Corral is expected to be one of the first quarterbacks off the board in the 2022 NFL draft. Unlike many high-profile prospects, he did not opt out of his team’s bowl game. Knowing this, his injury late in the first quarter against Baylor is even more heartbreaking.

During the second quarter, Corral’s examination was finished and it was made apparent that he would not be returning to the Sugar Bowl. The quarterback emerged from the locker rooms to join his teammates on the sideline while on crutches.

Corral received a huge ovation from the fans in attendance, and his teammates and coaches came over to console the visibly upset young star.

In spite of the heartbreaking way it ended, Corral’s career will be remembered fondly by Ole Miss faithful. He will finish as the Rebels’ third all-time leading passer with 8,271 yards and 57 touchdowns. His final season in particular was special, as he led Ole Miss to its first New Year’s Six bowl game since 2015.

Chao previously spent 17 years as the head team physician for the San Diego Chargers from 1997-2013. He also serves as a team physician for the X Games. His patients include star athletes such as Junior Seau, Marshall Faulk, Doug Flutie, Tony Hawk, Philip Rivers, LaDanian Tomlinson and Drew Brees.

Hopefully he is right that Matt Corral will recover quickly from his ankle injury. Given the bright future the young quarterback has, it’s safe to say more than just Ole Miss fans are wishing him a speedy recovery.