ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Reese Cates will be out for the next three weeks with a torn right biceps after getting an MRI and having the results reviewed by Dr. Tandy Freeman on Monday.
The No. 6 bull rider in the world standings says he does not need surgery, and he will undergo physical therapy for the next three weeks before potentially returning in time for the DEWALT Guaranteed Tough Invitational in Nampa, Idaho, on April 11-12.
“He said there are two different tendons and the one that I tore was probably slightly torn before the weekend from the practice pen and in Round 1 it went ahead and tore the rest of the way,” Cates said. “He said it kind of heals itself and doesn’t require surgery. I will do physical therapy for two and half, three weeks, and let the swelling go out of it.
“I am thankful the way it tore and the place it tore is a deal where I will be able to come back in three weeks. I am looking forward to that.”
Cates was officially diagnosed with a right long head biceps musculotendinous junction tear.
He first suffered the partial tear last week attempting to ride practice bulls in Arkansas with Tyler Harr.
“We were getting on some practice bulls and they were kind of young and not really chute broke,” Cates said. “It happened right when I was about to nod my head on one and he kind of bucked in there and whenever he did, I wasn’t expecting it and it was a deal where I wasn’t completely up on my rope ready to go and my arm took the full force of it.”
It is believed Cates then tore the tendon the rest of the way when he rode Kung Fu Fighter for 78 points in Round 1 before accepting his re-ride option on More Big Bucks. He was bucked off by More Big Bucks in 3.6 seconds.
Cates has been off to his best start since winning the 2008 Rookie of the Year title and is tied for the BFTS lead with two wins (Baltimore and Sacramento). He has gone 10-for-30 (33.33 percent) and trails world leader Matt Triplett by 912.5 points.
The 26-year-old remains upbeat about the injury.
“It is definitely a blessing for it to only be something that doesn’t require surgery,” Cates said. “It is still unfortunate that I am going to have to miss an event in Seattle where there is a 15/15 and double points available, but at least I am still going to be able to finish the first half.
“I am definitely thankful for that.”
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
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