ST. LOUIS – Two-time World Champion Jess Lockwood received somewhat good news Thursday when he met with Dr. Tandy Freeman in Dallas.
Lockwood underwent testing on his injured left shoulder following a 2.36-second buckoff against Jersey Tuff at last week’s PBR Express Ranches Invitational, presented by Union Home Mortgage. To his relief, Lockwood learned that he will not need to undergo reconstructive surgery, which could have jeopardized his status for the remainder of the season, and he will instead be out 6-8 weeks.
“Better than expected,” Lockwood told PBR.com via text on Friday. “Some broken bones, but should heal with 6 to 8 weeks off.”
Lockwood is ranked 39th in the world standings and was seemingly starting to turn around his season, having ridden three of his past four bulls before the injury.
The Volborg, Montana, native is the latest World Champion sent to the sidelines because of injury. 2016 World Champion Cooper Davis had to undergo reconstructive surgery on his left shoulder last week and is likely out of competition for multiple months.
2018 World Champion Kaique Pacheco returned to action Friday night at the PBR TicketSmarter Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires, from his own left shoulder injury, which kept him on the sidelines for three events. Lost Highway bucked Pacheco off in 3.41 seconds.
Meanwhile, a potential 2022 World Champion contender may be returning very soon.
World No. 6 Dener Barbosa is not competing in St. Louis because of a right groin strain he first sustained in Milwaukee two weeks ago. Barbosa told PBR.com on Friday evening he hopes to return to action as early as Tuesday night at the PBR Pluto TV Invitational in Los Angeles.
“I am feeling better, and I think I will be back next week. Maybe Los Angeles,” Barbosa said. “The (MRI) did not show much (damage). I just tore a small piece of muscle.”
CARDOZO OUT FOR ROUND 2 IN ST. LOUIS
Friday night was a much more lowkey night for the PBR Sports Medicine Team following a chaotic weekend in Oklahoma City.
No. 20 Alex Cardozo is the only rider ruled out for Round 2 by Dr. Tandy Freeman after he aggravated a left hip pointer injury from Oklahoma City when Hog Wild bucked him off in 4.02 seconds inside the Enterprise Center.
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media