Ole Miss receiver Jonathan Mingo not 100 percent but vows to fight to the end
Jonathan Mingo is not at full strength, but that’s not keeping him from this year’s Egg Bowl.
The Ole Miss receiving corps has been bitten badly by the injury bug this season and Mingo is just one of the many who have been on the shelf.
Mingo suffered a lower leg injury prior to the Alabama game on Oct. 2 and missed over six weeks. He returned to the field for the first time last Saturday against Vanderbilt.
The first play of the game saw Mingo, Braylon Sanders and Dontario Drummond on the field for the first time since September. Sanders and Drummond have also battled with injuries at one time or a another this season.
“I probably won’t be 100 percent until after the season, but I’m good enough to go, though,” Mingo said on Monday. “Just being out there with my brothers. I got other brothers that are hurt. I’m hurt, too. But we’re going to fight to the end.”
Mingo started his return back to the field two weeks ago. He was seen fully dressed in pregame warm-ups ahead of the Texas A&M game but did not see any playing time.
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Targeted only once in the Vanderbilt game, Mingo had two yards on one reception but his presence on the field is enough to cause the defense to pay attention to him.
Even though he’s back on the field Mingo’s effectiveness is limited by his injury, but when he’s on the field Mingo is only thinking about making the next play.
“I really don’t try to think about pain in the game,” Mingo said. “I just try to do my assignment and get the job done. So, when I’m in the game I try to block the pain out and just do my job.
Now, Mingo is focused on Thursday and the matchup with in-state rival Mississippi State.
There is a connection between Mingo and Bulldog quarterback Will Rogers. The pair were teammates at Brandon.
This is the second showdown against former teammates and continued friends.
“It’s going to be fun going against my guy,” Mingo said. “Me and Will, he’s like my best friend. We talk every day and we wish each other good luck. So, it’s going to be fun competing against him this week.”
