Monday, March 17, 2008

Soul's Graziani out 3-to-4 weeks

Philadelphia Soul starting quarterback Tony Graziani is expected to miss the next three-to-four weeks with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

Graziani suffered the injury during the Soul’s 63-42 win over the New York Dragons on Sunday. An MRI exam on Monday confirmed the initial diagnoses and showed no further damage.

Graziani was injured on a 21-yard touchdown pass to Larry Brackins with 47 seconds left in the third quarter, as he suffered a late hit from New York Dragons defensive lineman John Nix, who was flagged for a roughing the passer penalty on the play and later ejected from the game for a separate incident.

Graziani finished the game 16-of-27 passing for 204 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions. For the season, the veteran signal-caller has thrown for 732 yards with 20 touchdowns and two picks. Matt D’Orazio is expected to step in for Graziani and lead the Soul.

D’Orazio was an off-season free agent signing. He started for the Chicago Rush the last two seasons, leading the Rush to the Arena Bowl XX title two seasons ago, earning Offensive Player of the Game honors in the process. He stepped in for Graziani this past Sunday and ended 6-of-10 passing for 68 yards. He led two scoring drives, running one in from one yard out to cap one of those drives.

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