Hinds could miss entire year

When quarterback Rocky Hinds transferred from Southern California before the 2005 season, it was viewed as a major coup for new UNLV football coach Mike Sanford.

A troubled right knee, however, has helped prevent Hinds from living up to the enormous promise he brought with him, and now there is a question whether he ever will be able to deliver.

The junior will miss at least the "first part of the season" and probably the entire year, Sanford said Tuesday.

Sanford said the cadaver graft put in Hinds' right knee when he had anterior cruciate ligament surgery in January was "50 percent torn." Sanford said the new injury occurred in practice about two weeks ago.

"We wish Rocky the best," Sanford said. "We hope that he will be back with us and work his way back on to the team and contribute to our football team."

An attempt to reach Hinds was unsuccessful.

Redshirt freshman Travis Dixon will start UNLV's season opener Aug. 30 at Utah State. Dixon was named the starter Thursday.

As for Hinds, Sanford did not want to project when he might return.

"We'll find out as the thing progresses," he said. "I think he's definitely out of the first part of the season, and at some point, a determination will be made whether he'll play this season or not."

If Hinds does not play, UNLV can apply to the NCAA for a medical redshirt. Hinds already used a redshirt season in 2004 when he began his college career at USC, and he sat out the 2005 season under NCAA transfer rules after coming to UNLV.

Sanford had been waiting to talk to Hinds' doctor, Clarence Shields of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Southern California. The two finally talked upon UNLV's return to Las Vegas on Tuesday. The Rebels had been in Ely for training camp.

Hinds, who is not expected to need surgery this time, has a history of injury problems with his right knee, having undergone two operations and arthroscopic surgery going back to his senior season in high school. Hinds missed his final season at St. Bernard High in Playa del Rey, Calif.

Then Hinds tore 90 percent of his ACL at Iowa State in the second game last season. He returned and finished with 2,148 passing yards, the highest total by a Rebel since Jon Denton threw for 2,586 in 1997, but UNLV went 2-10. Hinds was hesitant to run on the bad knee after returning.

Sanford listed Hinds and Dixon as even on the depth chart entering camp. Some speculated the move was made simply to fire up Hinds. But Sanford has repeatedly said the coaching staff wasn't kidding around -- and later insisted Dixon did not win the starting job "by default."

Dixon progressed as camp went on, and Hinds might have had a difficult time beating him out anyway.

Dixon, already an outstanding runner, has improved his passing and appears to have won over his teammates. Junior wide receiver Casey Flair said Monday the Rebels were solidly behind Dixon, but he hoped Hinds would be able to rejoin the team.

Perhaps Hinds will be back in a UNLV uniform at some point, but after all the disappointment and frustration with his right knee, big questions surround his future.