Connor Cook Hurts Throwing Shoulder, Out for Second Half

Michigan State Quarterback Connor Cook exited the Spartans game vs Maryland after a hit left him on the turf. He was holding his throwing shoulder but would later return. He was held out of the second half.

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This is the last thing Michigan State fans or followers of the NFL draft want to see. Highly touted quarterback Connor Cook out of Michigan State walked off the field late in the first quarter against Maryland after being hit and landing hard on the turf. Left tackle Jack Conklin was being beaten several times by Yannick Ngakoue, who’s looking to become Maryland’s single season sacks leader.

Cook was clearly in a ton of pain as the trainers worked on his shoulder on the sideline.

After sitting out part of the drive, Cook returned to start the second quarter. He handed off the ball to his running back, who fumbled it as he hit the pile of defenders.

Cook was having his shoulder examined by Michigan State trainers as backup quarterback Tyler O’Connor came into the game. Michigan State had earlier inserted O’Connor for part of a drive, assumingly to show recruits who’d they be working with next season. O’Connor threw a redzone touchdown to give Michigan State their first score of the game.

Connor Cook did return for a second drive in the second quarter, but was mostly handing the ball off, clearly not comfortable throwing with that bad shoulder. One a third down throw the ball came out wobbly and clearly not as well as Cook usually throws it.

Connor Cook is widely believed to be within the top three group of quarterbacks to be taken in next years draft. While like most college players he has a lot to work on, but the attributes are clearly there. Fellow Big Ten quarterback Christian Hackenberg is also believed to be one of those quarterbacks coming out of Penn State.

We will keep you updated with how Cook is feeling throughout this game.