Hauss Hejny Reaches Critical Point in Recovery, but His Return Remains TBD

Oklahoma State fans have waited for quarterback Hauss Hejny’s return since he suffered a Jones fracture that sidelined the TCU transfer since the third series of the opener.

That wait remains as of Monday.

“I am going to talk to him, I am not sure,” interim coach Doug Meacham said. “So anything I tell you at this point, it won’t be accurate because I don’t know for sure. But we are going to sit down and have a conversation and see where he is. I know last week, the Tuesday, Wednesday, he was jogging and throwing some balls around a little bit so we will see.”

Meacham praised Hejny’s progress, but never confirmed he’s ready for the punishment that comes with full contact. So there’s always the possibility that Hejny simply hasn’t recovered enough to take the field.

In the days that followed Hejny’s injury and subsequent surgery, Hejny’s father, Jesse, described several timelines to PFB. Those, in conjunction with multiple previous statements from Meacham on the subject, have always suggested that the Kansas State game following the bye week was perhaps Hejny’s most likely chance to make a return to the field.

However, should he choose to do so, he could potentially be risking what seems like a guaranteed medical redshirt season. Meacham has repeatedly stressed that Hejny wants to return to the field. Those close to him, including Meacham, now have to weigh his long-term goals and health against the risk, no matter how much it goes against Hejny’s wishes.

From an outside perspective, Hejny has remained engaged this season as much as possible and even chose to travel for the Kansas game more than a week ago.

“It says a lot because in the day and age of maybe some of the youngsters these days they would prefer to just stay here and go to the strip and hangout,” Meacham said. “Whereas he wanted to be with the team, and it says a lot about him as a person and how much it means to him. That he’s not going to waste any opportunity he can get to try and help us.

“He was on the sideline rooting guys on. I mean it’s the way it used to be, so it kind of makes you feel good to know there are still guys out there like that, that care about the school, they feel gratitude for where they are.”