UNC football player Landon Turner returns after MCL sprain

Landon Turner sat in the hotel in Clemson, S.C., fewer than 24 hours from when the North Carolina football team would face the Clemson Tigers, and awaited the decision.

Turner, who sprained the MCL in his left knee during  , had been out of commission for almost three weeks. But tonight, there was a chance — however slim — that he would get the nod and be cleared to play in front of 80,000 orange-clad fans.

Though Turner had been kept out of practice during his rehab process, team trainers thought he might play.

Turner never got that nod that night. But Tuesday, days before his team takes on Virginia Tech, Turner did. Now he’s back in pads, back to practice. Then, he was consigned to the sideline.

“It would have been a prayer coming true if he could have played,” said offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic .“In the end, we just didn’t feel comfortable throwing him out there in a game when he hasn’t had any real practice reps.”

And in the end, UNC lost 50-35 , while Turner was relegated to the sideline to endure the torment with a clipboard in hand, unable to help.

“It was really tough,” he said. “I’m a competitor. I love this game. I love playing. But when the game started, I had a new role and I had to make sure I was the best in that role.”

That role was of an analyst and a catalyst.

“We don’t normally travel injured guys,” Kapilovic said. “But we brought him because of his leadership. And he took it seriously.”

Turner was asked to pay attention to his replacement — freshman Jared Cohen. After every play, Turner scribbled frantically on his clipboard, monitoring Cohen’s every move and reporting to Kapilovic.

On the bus ride home that night, after UNC’s second loss in a row, Turner sat in front of quarterback Marquise Williams lamenting over his lack of contribution.

“‘Man I could have been in that game,’” Williams said Turner told him. “‘It sucks not being able go out there and compete with you and have fun with you.’”

Tuesday, for the first time in 24 days, Turner was able to be back on the field with his team.

Drenched in sweat as the sun slowly set behind him at practice Tuesday, he smiled.

“This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”

For Williams, getting one of his veteran leaders back on the line will be fun.

“That guy, he brings joy all the time,” Williams said. “That’s one thing I love about Landon. He’s going to bring that excitement to the game if he’s playing or not. I know he’s excited today because the way he practiced today was unbelievable ... I’m excited to have Big Landon back.”

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