Post Preps: Chatfield defeats Dakota Ridge 71- 57 in Class 5A boys basketball. Chatfield is 11- 2.
boulder » Whether Xavier Johnson completes his comeback this season in a Colorado Buffaloes uniform, or whether he ultimately returns next fall for a fifth season, remains to be determined.
Yet any avenue toward an X. J. comeback this season cleared a major hurdle Friday afternoon, when the senior forward worked out as a full participant at practice for the first time since suffering a torn Achilles tendon last June.
Johnson had been participating in shooting and individual skill drills, but Friday marked his first appearance this season in full- speed team drills.
“It was good. It was good to get back out there and compete a little bit,” Johnson said. “I didn’t do every drill, but I did the live drill. So it was good to compete. Every day is a process. Every day I’m progressing.”
At this point, the previous idea that Johnson would make an announced comeback or accept a medical redshirt has morphed into a situation likely to be determined by circumstances over the final two months of CU’s season.
The first step in that process is Johnson getting into game shape, which at this juncture is not the case. Johnson still is experiencing noticeable weakness in his left calf, and his conditioning remains a work in progress.
Still, Friday’s exercise was amajor step forward for Johnson. After Sunday’s home game against Oregon ( 5 p. m., Pac12 Networks), Johnson could conceivably be in uniform when CU plays at home again Jan. 27 against Stanford.
“The doctors told me that I won’t tear my Achilles again now, so now it’s just a matter of getting my strength up in my calf,” Johnson said. “That’s about it. It’s all up in the air still. The big thing is getting back in game flow, getting back in shape. I’ve just got to keep doing that and keep working.”
CU coach Tad Boyle made it clear last week the decision remains in Johnson’s hands. If he has any physical setback in the upcoming weeks, or if no discernible role opens up for Johnson, taking amedical redshirt for a full return in the 2016- 17 season remains an option.