GEORGIA TECH REPORT: Old neck injury retires Bowen

Shane Bowen has been reduced to “standing on the sideline and looking pretty.”

One minute, the junior was getting ready to make his first start of the season against Georgia. The next, he was told he was getting an MRI. The examination revealed a career-ending spinal injury.

“I don’t think it’s hit me totally yet,” Bowen said after Wednesday’s practice. “But it’s really a blessing that they found it when they did. So I’m just trying to look at it as a positive, more so than not being able to play. Because I’ve played my share of football.”

Bowen started 10 games as a linebacker last year, then underwent surgery in February to repair a torn labrum. He missed spring practice while rehabbing. By the time his shoulder was at full strength, he was no longer a starter.

But he played in 11 games and impressed in the 41-23 win over Miami. After Sedric Griffin left with a knee injury, Bowen played a lot of snaps, finishing with five tackles and a sack. He was going to start the regular-season finale in Athens.

“That was the toughest part, it being Georgia week,” Bowen said. “I came out Monday and Tuesday and practiced. I was having a good week.”

Right before Wednesday’s practice, Bowen was told he was getting an MRI. He had complained of neck pain after a couple of hits; the training staff scheduled the exam.

The diagnosis: a displaced cervical vertebra.

“The doctor thinks it could have happened in my teenage years, and my ligaments and neck muscles were strong enough to hide the symptoms,” Bowen said. “It healed on its own, and it healed wrong, obviously. I’m just lucky they found it when they did.”

Bowen will undergo surgery in May to fuse two vertebrae. He is putting it off so as not to disrupt his studies. Bowen is on track to graduate with a degree in management a year from now, with coaching one possible career path.

Mo’ money

Coach Paul Johnson said he was never worried about the renegotiation of his contract, which is expected to be completed by Friday. Johnson said he was happy that part of the new deal will include pay raises for his assistants.

“That was a big stickler for me,” Johnson said. “That was the only thing I really asked for.”

Born on the bayou

Defensive end Jason Peters, who hails from Baton Rouge, La., didn’t grow up an LSU fan.

He rooted for Southern University, also in Baton Rouge, because his dad played quarterback there. Peters said he was more of a casual supporter of LSU, Tech’s opponent Dec. 31.

“Some part of me always wanted to play against [LSU] if I didn’t end up going there,” said Peters. “They’re a big-time school, and I would love to prove myself against them because I know what they can do. It will be fun to play against the purple and gold.”

A redshirt freshman, Peters backs up Derrick Morgan. He’s played in 10 games, making three tackles for loss and forcing a fumble.

Staff writer Ken Sugiura contributed to this article.