DULUTH, Ga. – The blue sling was peeking out of 2018 World Champion Kaique Pacheco’s jacket Sunday afternoon inside Gas South Arena.
On a weekend where reigning two-time World Champion Jose Vitor Leme returned from his core muscle injury after missing the first three events of the season, now Pacheco is set to most likely miss at least three events of his own after separating his left shoulder in Round 2 of the PBR Gwinnett Invitational.
Pacheco sustained the injury when Mr. Right Now bucked him off in 5.17 seconds and he landed on the shoulder of his free arm.
According to Dr. Tandy Freeman, Pacheco will get an MRI this week and likely be out of competition for 3-6 weeks.
“I landed with my arm (out), and they say I tore two ligaments, and they say it’s better to stay out a minimum of three to four weeks,” Pacheco said. “I will do that to make me better and come back more strong.”
Pacheco was expected to challenge for the 2022 World Championship, but he has struggled out of the gate this year. The 27-year-old has bucked off six bulls in a row since beginning the season with an 87.5-point ride on Express Lane in Indianapolis. Pacheco missed the Monster Energy Buck Off at the Garden in New York because of COVID-19 before returning to action last weekend in Chicago.
The 2015 Rookie of the Year is sitting No. 83 in the world standings, and he will work with Dr. Freeman on a recovery and rehab program so that he can return to competition as soon as possible.
“Three weeks I will go work out, and I will make my arm better, and I will come back more strong,” Pacheco concluded.
ADDITIONAL INJURY UPDATES
There were two more riders diagnosed with shoulder injuries Sunday in Duluth, and they, too, will be getting exams done this week back in Texas.
According to Freeman, Manoelito de Souza Jr. injured his left shoulder (riding arm) when he was bucked off onto his shoulder in 3.3 seconds by X-Factor in Round 2. Souza is listed as doubtful for next weekend’s PBR Wrangler Long Live Cowboys event in Sacramento, California, and he will need to get an X-ray and MRI.
Meanwhile, Adriano Salgado is also doubtful for Sacramento after he partially dislocated his left shoulder (riding arm) when Best In Show tossed him into the bucking chutes in 6.42 seconds in Round 2. Salgado will undergo an MRI this week to determine the extent of his injuries.
Austin Richardson is questionable for Sacramento after spraining his left knee (MCL) during his Round-2 winning ride of 88.75 points on Danny Boy.
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media