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Blood clots leave career of Syracuse DL up in the air

Syracuse went 4-8 in 2016. (AP Photo/Nick Lisi)
Syracuse went 4-8 in 2016. (AP Photo/Nick Lisi)

Steven Clark has been a solid contributor on Syracuse’s defensive line during his first two seasons with the program, but now his football future could be up in the air.

Clark told the Syracuse Post-Standard that he has been dealing with blood clots in the aftermath of the season-ending knee injury he suffered late in the 2016 season. Clark said there’s a chance he could have to take blood thinners for the rest of his life. That would prohibit him from participating in contact sports.

From the Post-Standard:

Clark is currently on blood thinners and hoping that his last remaining clot, in his calf, will dissolve by his next Doppler ultrasound test in mid-May. He has an appointment with local hematologist Dr. Santo DiFino set for June 1 that could determine whether Clark will be cleared to play football this season.

“If (the clot is) there, then I’ll probably be on blood thinners for the rest of my life unless it goes away,” Clark said during a wide-ranging interview on Thursday. “And if I’m on blood thinners, obviously no contact sports. But there’s maybe a 10 percent chance of that happening. It’s coming along really well now. I’m running better and stuff like that. I think it’s not really a big chance of being DQ’d.”

Clark, who started the Orange’s first nine games at defensive tackle in 2016, injured his knee during a November practice and was fitted for a brace. However, he had to be rushed to the hospital a few days later because the brace was too tight. He underwent testing at the hospital where multiple blood clots were found. On top of that, it was determined that Clark has a genetic condition that makes him more prone to blood clotting.

From the Post-Standard:

Clark was soon sent to the emergency room to have a Doppler ultrasound test done. It showed four clots around where the brace had been — one in his groin, one in his thigh, one behind his knee and one in his calf.

Blood tests revealed that Clark also had Factor V Leiden, a genetic disorder that makes him more susceptible to blood clotting, in one of two genes. Clark sought a second opinion from a hematologist near his home in Arab, Ala., who shared a similar diagnosis.

With just one clot remaining, the 6-foot-2, 287-pound Clark is optimistic he’ll be able to return to the field, but blood clots are nothing to mess with. Other athletes, most notably Chris Bosh of the NBA’s Miami Heat, have had careers derailed by blood clots. In Clark’s instance, he said he’s been told he has “about a five percent chance” of getting another one “within a year.” In that case, the odds are in Clark’s favor, but he’s proceeding with caution, knowing that clots can be fatal.

Clark told the Post-Standard he has been participating as much as he can in Syracuse’s offseason workouts but will be limited once spring ball rolls around later this month. The Orange are certainly hoping for the best. His health, of course, comes first, but Clark is also an expected starter, so it would be a big blow for the Orange if he can’t play in 2017.

Overall, Clark has tallied 37 tackles in 21 games with the program.

For more Syracuse news, visit CuseConfidential.com.

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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!