COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – With all the Colorado Rapids fitness/injury news and people on Twitter asking me for updates, this should probably become a weekly article for at least the next month. Last Word on Soccer spoke to Rapids Manager Anthony Hudson on Tuesday afternoon after training. Here’s what we learned.

Colorado Rapids Training Injury Updates: Nana Boateng Under Concussion Protocol

First, let’s recap where everyone was as of last week. Danny Wilson, Dillon Serna, and Joe Mason all had minor injury concerns the week of the Real Salt Lake match. All three played in Sunday’s loss to Orlando City SC. Both Coach Hudson and Wilson confirmed that he was pain-free. Last week was just training, no rehab.

Sheklezen Gashi, Yannick Boli, and Stefan Aigner were all working on their fitness. All were available for selection on Sunday. Gashi started Sunday, playing 50 minutes. Boli came off the bench. Aigner has not been on the team sheet since late March. I reported on the details of that curfuffle last week.

Kortne Ford is rehabbing an MCL tear and was on track but still out. Eric Miller has been training on the side during training but is also progressing. Hairston has been training independently as he rehabs from a minor cartilage surgery. At the time, he was reportedly going to be out 2-3 week. Last week was that third week. Johan Blomberg was limited in practice last week after appearing to take a knock against RSL. He was not on the team sheet on Sunday.

Lastly, Nana Boateng was knocked unconscious during Sunday’s match after an ugly collision with Will Johnson. Boateng was immediately subbed out and walked off the field under his own power. This was after several minutes of being on the ground, part of which he was motionless.

Now, on to the latest updates.

Good to go:

Dillon Serna, Danny Wilson, and Joe Mason are good to go, not surprisingly. Serna and Mason were dealing with minor knocks last week but played on Sunday and had no issues. The same can be said for Wilson, who played a full 90 minutes in his first game back.

Expect all three to be available for Saturday at Sporting Kansas City. With some progress from this week, I’d expect Serna and Mason to be able to start and go 60 minutes at least.

Wait and see:

“Marlon [Hairston] has now started running. He’s on his way back, which is good news, Hudson told Last Word on Soccer, adding “Johan [Blomberg] from last week is still day to day from last week. We’ll see how he progresses over the next few days.”

Hairston has been out of team training since his surgery but has been training separately with the club medical staff. Both were at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park today. Neither participated in team training (though Hairston watched from the sidelines for a bit).

Gashi played on Sunday. Hudson lamented the red card to Tim Howard at Salt Lake, because it forced them to change their substitution plan. He had wanted to get Gashi a good run out. Gashi did get good minutes against Orlando but had to be subbed off for a groin injury concern.

“Right after halftime, he felt something in his groin,” Hudson said post game. He confirmed that again today again adding “we’ll see how that goes.”

Gashi was at training today, running on the side but did not participate in team drills.

They’re all in the wait and see camp. They won’t be making a decision on any of them until Thursday or Friday. I doubt the coaching staff will rush Hairston into the lineup for Saturday given Serna is good to go. The other two are more likely to play in my opinion given their injury concerns are not as serious and the Rapids are getting thin in midfield.

Making Progress:

Kortne Ford and Eric Miller were both at training today, with Ford leaving a bit early. Miller, however, participated in all team activities from start to finish. That’s the first time that’s happened in months. Both are progressing but still a little ways away. If Hudson and Miller are feeling confident, we could see Miller soon.

“Kortne [Ford]’s recovery is going well,” Hudson said. “He’s pushing forward, always positive. He’s eager to get out there. I’m hoping within the next week or two.”

This is right on track with Ford’s initial timetable (we’re currently in the eighth week of his reported 8-10 week rehab). Don’t expect him to be available to score a game-winner at Kansas City, but he could be in the mix next week.

Concussion protocol:

“Nana [Boateng] obviously got knocked unconscious so he’s on that [concussion] protocol.”

I in no way claim to be a medical expert, but from the reading I’ve done on head injuries (I had a close classmate a few years ago get a concussion in a car accident), it can take upwards of 24-48 hours of observation/testing to diagnose and quantify the severity of a concussion. At the time of publication, it’s been just over 48 hours since the injury.

Hudson didn’t provide any other details, but based on past cases of the MLS Concussion Protocol, there is no timetable for Boateng’s return as of now and he’ll be spending time with the medical staff throughout the week.

Boateng was not at training today. That means he hasn’t even been cleared to do light cardio yet. I won’t speculate on how long he could be out (the medical staff needs more time and information), but if he hasn’t been cleared to jog, it’s highly unlikely he’ll play Saturday.

Last Words:

Andrew Dykstra has returned on loan to USL affiliate Charlotte Independence. Tim Howard was in training today and is the expected starter going forward after serving his suspension. Niki Jackson and Sam Hamilton were with the Rapids today and fully engaged. Both have recently been loaned to USL side Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

The Boys in Black are at home this Saturday night, so if it is determined by Thursday that Jackson and Hamilton won’t be needed as depth for the Rapids this week, expect them to be sent down to the Springs and available for selection against Reno 1868 FC.

Stefan Aigner was at training today, but only did running away from the team. No squad drills. I don’t have any updates beyond that. Hudson said his peace last week. He’s available for selection until further notice. Him making the team sheet will come down to performance. If he isn’t in the team on Saturday, it’s 100% a coaching decision.