Cummings Begins Comeback

Senior's Strong Return From Injury Key To Success For Lincoln

Lincoln senior Tyler Cummings, left, had a breakout season as a sophomore before suffering a season-ending injury last season. Cummings is returning this season to lead the Wolves.
Lincoln senior Tyler Cummings, left, had a breakout season as a sophomore before suffering a season-ending injury last season. Cummings is returning this season to lead the Wolves.

LINCOLN — Tyler Cummings was anticipating another big season last August after rushing for 1,480 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore.

That dream was shattered when Cummings suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the opening game against Westville, Okla., and missed the rest of the season. The loss was a huge setback for Lincoln, which dropped to 5-5 after going 7-4 with Cummings as its leading rusher in 2011.

“We didn’t know the severity of his injury at first,” Lincoln coach Brad Harris said. “But when the other kids see one of your top players take off his uniform after getting hurt and not return, it’s a momentum-killer.”

Cummings’ impact two years ago earned him NWA Media Newcomer of the Year for small schools. He was off to a good start his junior year against Westville with four carries for 32 yards. But his season ended suddenly and painfully on the next series when a defender knifed through and tackled Cummings on his left knee after a toss sweep.

Profile

Tyler Cummings

SCHOOL: Lincoln

POSITION: Running back, safety

HEIGHT: 6-0

WEIGHT: 165

NOTABLE: Selected NWA Media Newcomer of the Year for small schools in 2011 after rushing for 1,480 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore. … Started at both running back and safety. … Sat out football and basketball seasons before returning for baseball, where he was 5-1 with one save and a 2.16 earned run average.

Lincoln went on to win the game, but the loss of Cummings made Lincoln’s transition from Class 3A to Class 4A even more difficult. He missed all of conference play after having surgery on Oct. 24, 2012.

“I tried to practice and cut on my knee a couple of weeks after the swelling went down, but it didn’t feel right,” Cummings said. “We went to two different specialists before I got an MRI and was told I had completely torn my left ACL and had a fray on my MCL. That was really disappointing because I was really looking forward to playing.”

Cummings (6-foot-1, 165 pounds) is one of the top all-around athletes at Lincoln. His loss was not only a setback for the football team, but the basketball team as well, where he was a sixth-man as a sophomore.

But throughout his rehabilitation, Cummings was supportive of his teammates who were out there battling other teams in the tough 4A-1 Conference.

“Tyler was out there for football practice every day,” Harris said. “He was another set of eyes for the coaches and he helped the halfbacks out. He was real supportive and it was great to have him out there.”

Cummings, who was on crutches for three days and spent more than 31/2 months rehabilitating his knee, said it was important for him to remain involved even though he couldn’t play.

“I carried water out to the players during practices and did anything I could do to show I was still part of this team,” Cummings said. “They were still my teammates and I wanted to be there for them.”

Cummings began his comeback with baseball after he was cleared by doctors on April 1. He played in a game later that day at Prairie Grove and gradually regained his timing and skills as a pitcher and center fielder for the Wolves. He was 5-1 with a 2.16 earned run average on the mound and completed the season by throwing a complete game in a 2-1 win over Brookland in the Class 4A state tournament.

“I was so happy that first day I was cleared to play,” said Cummings, who has a long scar on his left knee as a remainder of his surgery. “I started that day in center field against Prairie Grove, but I only played three innings because of the field conditions. It was wet and muddy. I didn’t want to take a chance and get hurt again.”

Cummings is back with the football team and taking full contact during spring football drills with the Wolves. He said he feels fine physically and is looking ahead toward his season season following a busy summer of attending team and individual football camps.

“I love football and I’ll be ready to go once the season starts,” Cummings said. “We’re going to be better after getting our feet wet for the first time last year in 4A.”

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