Mission's LaMantia may sub Lane for Texas A&M

COLLEGE STATION -- Texas A&M running back Jorvorskie Lane is questionable for Saturday's opener against Arkansas State because of lingering effects from a neck injury.

The 6-foot, 285-pound senior sustained a stinger in practice Aug. 13 and hasn't participated in contact drills since. A&M coach Mike Sherman said Monday that Lane still hasn't been cleared to play and has been coping with headaches.

``He's been held out of any major conditioning,'' Sherman said. ``We'll play it by ear. He hasn't been cleared to do a whole heck of a lot, so I have some concern there.''

Lane was not available for comment.

Nick LaMantia, Lane's backup and a Sharyland graduate, has been hobbled by a sprained left ankle, but Sherman said he should be ready to play on Saturday.

Team spokesman Alan Cannon said Lane has not been hospitalized, and Sherman stopped short of saying Lane had sustained a concussion.

``He had the stinger in the shoulder, the neck injury, and at the same time, he had a head injury,'' Sherman said. ``Now, whether we actually labeled it -- we're so sensitive on how we label head injuries. A concussion? I can't honestly tell you that. But he's had some headaches.''

Lane rushed for 780 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2007. He needs one touchdown to take sole possession of A&M's all-time record. Sherman announced when he was hired in December that he would move Lane to fullback. In that role, Lane will primarily block for the tailbacks, but also be expected to catch short passes.