The brief but worrisome saga involving three Oregon football players being hospitalized for intense offseason workouts has come to a close.
Per ESPN, Ducks tight end Cam McCormick and offensive lineman Sam Poutasi were released from the hospital on Friday, joining fellow offensive lineman Doug Brenner, who was released earlier this week.
The three were hospitalized after partaking in offseason workouts a report from The Oregonian likened to "military basic training." Poutasi had been diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a rare syndrome triggered by intense workouts in which muscle tissue is broken down and leaks into the bloodstream.
In response, the team's new strength and conditioning coach, Irele Oderinde, was suspended for a month without pay. Oderinde followed new Oregon coach Willie Taggart from their previous stop at South Florida.
"As the head football coach, I hold myself responsible for all of our football-related activities and the safety of our students must come first," Taggart said a release. "I have addressed the issue with our strength and conditioning staff, and I fully support the actions taken today by the university. I want to thank our medical staff and doctors for caring for all of our young men, and I want to apologize to the university, our students, alumni and fans."
