ASU’s Bolden, Simpson out with ACL tears

Apr 5, 2011, 11:02 PM | Updated: Apr 6, 2011, 5:03 am

TEMPE – Sun Devil seniors Omar Bolden and TJ Simpson both tore their ACLs according to head coach Dennis Erickson on Tuesday.

“It’s a tough blow in that those guys have been ever since I’ve been here,” said Erickson. “We’ve battled through a lot of things. They’ve worked their rear ends off, now they get to this part of their career and they get hurt. I just feel so bad for them.”

Bolden, an all-conference selection last season, hurt his knee during Saturday’s scrimmage. Simpson went down during practice last Thursday. Each underwent an MRI Monday.

Erickson would not speculate as to whether either might be able to return in the fall.

“I mean I’ve seen people come back in five months—Jon Hargis is a great example. But it depends on I think when they go in (for surgery next week) and (the doctor) looks at it and sees.”

An understandably disappointed Bolden has taken to his Twitter account recently.

This test of life is harder than any mid term or final I’ve ever taken here at ASU. I’m a strong individual but got damn… This is heavy!less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone

Bolden, who has started 35 games as a Sun Devil, was named first-team All-Pac-10 by coaches last season and a key part of one of the conference’s better defenses.

He has intercepted seven passes in his career — including three in 2010 — and has also spent time as a returner, with two touchdowns to his credit.

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