Injuries Pile Up in Glendale

By: Justin Felisko

PUEBLO, Colo. – A handful of riders were bitten by the injury bug this weekend during the PBR Built Ford Tough Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires, and the PBR Sports Medicine crew was highly busy amidst the first three-day competition weekend of the 2021 season.

Eight riders landed on Dr. Tandy Freeman’s official injury report when the dust settled on Sunday evening.

Here is a roundup of the injuries from this past weekend in Glendale.

Jesse Petri (potential lacerated liver/lacerated right palm)

Jesse Petri was off to a great start to his PBR premier series debut by riding both of his bulls in Glendale.

However, Petri had nowhere to go when he rode Rack City Dreamin for 63.25 points during Round 2 Sunday. Petri and Rack City Dreamin wound up towards the side of the arena fencing, and Petri was stepped on during his dismount. According to Dr. Tandy Freeman, he was transported to a local hospital for evaluation of a possible liver laceration and treatment for a complex laceration of the palm of his right (free) hand.

Petri was sitting in third place at the time of his injuries, but he was unable to accept his re-ride option or compete in the championship round. The 23-year-old finished the event in sixth place.

Cody Teel (left thigh strain)

2012 PRCA champion Cody Teel could not compete Sunday because of a left thigh strain he sustained in Round 1. Teel was bucked off by Chicken and Biscuits in 6.15 seconds but then received a re-ride option. Lil Loco, though, bucked him off in 2.02 seconds. Teel is listed as doubtful for next weekend’s PBR Caterpillar Classic in Kansas City, Missouri.

Matt Triplett (concussion)

Matt Triplett’s season debut did not go at all how the seven-time PBR World Finalist envisioned. Triplett, who missed the first two months of the season recovering from offseason hip surgery, was bucked off by Space Force in 6.61 seconds on Saturday night and did not pass the PBR’s concussion protocol on Sunday. He is questionable for Kansas City.

Derek Kolbaba (abdominal contusion)

Derek Kolbaba missed Championship Sunday with an abdominal contusion he sustained in Round 1 when Hostage bucked him off in 2.38 seconds. According to Freeman, Kolbaba is probable for Kansas City.

Rafael Henrique dos Santos (strained left groin)

World No. 7 Rafael Henrique dos Santos is questionable for Kansas City after he strained his left groin Sunday during his 86-point ride on Zorro.

Joao Ricardo Vieira (scalp laceration)

Joao Ricardo Vieira’s pursuit of 300 rides is now at 298 after he went 1-for-4 in Glendale. Vieira sustained a minor scalp laceration Friday night when Slow Hand bucked him off in 4.19 seconds.

Claudio Montanha Jr. (sprained right shoulder)

Claudio Montanha Jr. is hanging onto the No. 30 world ranking despite going 1-for-5 in Glendale. Montanha was able to ride Trail of Tears for 87.75 points on Sunday despite riding with a sprained right shoulder he sustained on Friday night after landing on his elbow when Struttin Stuff bucked him off in 5.7 seconds.

Jess Lockwood (possible broken right hand/wrist injury)

Two-time World Champion Jess Lockwood finished Glendale in second place following his 2-for-3 performance. However, Lockwood may have a broken right free hand after Marquis Metal Works Coriolis Effect bucked him off in 2.17 seconds. Lockwood also sustained a concussion, but he passed the PBR’s concussion protocol on Saturday morning. He is expected to get X-rays on his hand this week.

Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media

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