PUEBLO, Colo. – 2015 PBR Canada champion Tanner Byrne expects to be out a few weeks after injuring his right ankle (peroneal tendon injury) this past weekend in Springfield, Missouri, at the PFIWestern.com Invitational, presented by Bass Pro Shops.
Byrne said X-rays on Monday confirmed he broke no bones in his ankle or foot after bucking off Wired Child (2.07 seconds) in Round 3 of the 25th PBR: Unleash The Beast event.
The 26-year-old now plans to rest for a few weeks until some of the swelling in his right ankle goes down.
“According to Tandy (Freeman), the tendon needs (to be) fixed, but I can do that later down the road,” Byrne said. “Plan of action is stay off it, ice it, get feeling better and walking on it normal. Then build a brace to get me rolling.”
Byrne is currently 20th in the PBR world standings and in relatively good shape of qualifying for his fourth PBR World Finals. Byrne failed to qualify for the 2017 World Finals after a torn groin limited him to only five premier series events and 20 events overall.
The 26-year-old is 13-for-36 (28.26 percent) with a victory (St. Louis) and two sixth-place finishes on the 25th PBR: Unleash The Beast.
Byrne was coming off his second-best showing of the season following his 155-point effort at the Music City Knockout in Nashville.
His victory in St. Louis was the third of his career, which is the most in PBR history by a Canadian rider on the premier series.
Byrne also bruised his right thigh in Round 1 in Springfield when he was kicked by The King during his 4.18-second buckoff.
Lockwood to get an MRI on Thursday
Reigning World Champion Jess Lockwood said on Tuesday that he plans on getting an MRI Thursday to determine the extent of his right groin injury.
Lockwood first injured his groin last month at the Music City Knockout attempting to ride Locke & Loaded (6.11 seconds) before re-aggravating the injury Friday night in Springfield during his 70-point ride on Powder Puff. Lockwood turned down his re-ride option and then withdrew from the event.
Dr. Tandy Freeman has listed Lockwood as doubtful for Atlantic City, but Lockwood said he is hopeful the MRI will not show any serious injury and that he could try and make up ground in the world title race.
Lockwood understands time is running out and his deficit in the world title race is growing.
The 20-year-old is ninth in the world standings and 1,847.5 points behind world leader Kaique Pacheco.
“It is going to be tough as is,” Lockwood said. “Going to be impossible if I have to wait 3 to 4 weeks.”
Willingham expects to ride in Atlantic City
Sean Willingham said on Tuesday that he expects to ride in Atlantic City on Saturday and Sunday.
Willingham sustained a concussion on Saturday when he was bucked off by Stone Cold Crazy in 1.93 seconds.
The 37-year-old is 29th in the world standings with a 48.34-point cushion on No. 36 J.B. Mauney.
Two Brazilians returning
No. 18 Valdiron de Oliveira (chest), and No. 26 Alex Marcilio (ribs) all informed the PBR competition department that they will be riding in Atlantic City this weekend.
Newsom released from hospital
The PBR announced on Monday bullfighter Frank Newsom was released from the hospital after being injured in Springfield on Sunday.
There is no immediate timetable for his return to action at this time.
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko