Florida State star safety Derwin James has had no definite timetable for recovery after undergoing surgery to repair torn cartilage in his knee earlier this season. On Wednesday, Jimbo Fisher confirmed that James won't be back on the field before the end of the regular season.
The Seminoles, 6-3 and ranked No. 18 in the College Football Rankings, host Boston College on Friday night in Tallahassee then play at Syracuse before finishing up the regular season at home against rival Florida. James, a preseason All-America pick at safety after a breakout freshman season, suffered the injury in the second game of the season against Charleston Southern.
"There's no gauges for cartilage," Fisher said on Monday. "It's just the amount of time on it to heal and make sure it sews up. That's the issue. He's dying to go."
The updated news on James -- shutting him down for the final three games -- included the possibility that he could return for the bowl game if doctors are pleased with the progress. Based on reports from Tallahassee, it sounds like all of the necessary precautions are being taken to prevent further injury for the likely future pro.
In a year where James was expected to take over as the next star in the Seminoles' secondary, the sophomore has only been able to log six quarters of action. His absence has been felt, starting immediately with the early-season blowout loss to Florida State. This weekend, Florida State may also be without starting safety Trey Marshall (concussion).
