FORT WORTH, Texas ― J.B. Mauney contacted the PBR office first thing Monday morning to confirm he will not be competing in either Nampa, Idaho, or Billings, Mont., after injuring his left riding hand and wrist Friday night, in Fresno, Calif.
The reigning World Champion was initially reported to have sprained his left wrist during the opening round and unsuccessfully competed again with it Friday night in the 15/15 Bucking Battle before switching to his right hand on Saturday night for the second long round.
Mauney finished 0-for-3 for the weekend and, more importantly, is scheduled to have an MRI this week before consulting again with Dr. Tandy Freeman.
He contacted the PBR competition department via text on Monday morning opting out of the next two Built Ford Tough Series events.
The 27-year-old from Mooresville, N.C., has previously missed two BFTS events this season. He sat out a three-day event in, St. Louis, Mo., after spraining his riding hand in Anaheim, Calif., and coincidentally was returning to competition this past weekend after missing a three-day event in Albuquerque, N.M., as a precautionary measure after spraining his right ankle.
It is unknown when he’ll have the MRI or when he’ll next speak with Freeman.
Mauney did indicate that he will not attempt to compete with his right hand in the future. “Nope, never again,” he said, after bucking off Cool Moe Dee in Round 2 on Saturday night.
He previously made a switch to his right hand a few years ago and successfully made the whistle on two short-round caliber bulls –Gunpowder & Lead and Bad Blake – but said he’s “retiring from riding right-handed.”
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Follow Keith Ryan Cartwright on Twitter @PBR_KRC.
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