Chris Dixon Separates Shoulder, Could Miss a Month or More
Adam Markowitz
Saturday April 20, 2013
ORLANDO -- The Orlando Predators were beaten in the 51st edition of the War on I-4 against the Tampa Bay Storm 53-35 on Saturday night, but the breaking news coming out of Orlando has to do with the man that presumably was set to become the starting quarterback. Sources have told ArenaFan that QB Chris Dixon separated his shoulder on a 16-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of the loss. The Predators have not confirmed the injury, but they have told ArenaFan, "[Dixon] has to be examined on Monday." If the injury indeed is a separated shoulder, sources have told ArenaFan that Dixon will miss the next four to six weeks.
The Dixon touchdown run got Orlando back within four points with a shot to win the game, but from that point forward, QB Kyle Rowley was a wreck and failed to score on each of his final two possessions of the game.
Unfortunately for the Predators, they now have a massive problem at the quarterback possession. Though Rowley was brought to the team to be the starting quarterback and the face of the franchise, he clearly doesn't have his confidence. Dating back to the final drive of the game against the San Jose SaberCats, Rowley has failed to score a single point on nine straight drives. Four of those drives have ended in interceptions. In his last 33 passes, Rowley has only gone 11-of-33 for 96 yards with no scores and three interceptions.
Dixon has now come in and played two straight games for the Predators. Against the Soul, he played the second half and went 9-of-13 for 120 yards with two touchdowns and one INT. He also had 16 yards on the ground. On Saturday against Tampa Bay, the former IFL standout was outstanding. He went 17-of-21 for 198 yards with three TDs, and he rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown. Dixon inherited a two-stop disadvantage, and he led the Preds back into the lead in the third quarter against the Storm.
The quarterback woes couldn't come at a worse time for the Predators. Orlando is now 0-4, and it has to play its next four games on the road. Up first are the defending ArenaBowl champion Arizona Rattlers. The Arizona offense has scored at least 66 points in four of its five games this season. If prorated over the amount of time that he has played, Rowley has led the Predators' offense to right around 40 points per game.
