Purdue QB Painter could miss start

Oct 28, 2008 - 11:26 PM WEST LAFAYETTE, Indiana (Ticker) -- Purdue senior quarterback Curtis Painter may miss Saturday's game against Michigan due to what coach Joe Tiller called a "slight-to-moderate" shoulder separation.

Painter, who has started 40 consecutive games - the longest streak in the nation - suffered in the injury in last week's 17-6 loss to Minnesota.

"We're starting out by saying we assume we're going to have him, but we need to prepare as though we're not going to have him," Tiller said. "And, of course, we'll make some adjustments based on Justin Siller's ability and what he can do."

The Boilermakers (2-6, 0-4 Big Ten) have lost five straight and may have to start the sophomore Siller if Painter is unable to suit up. Tiller is holding out hope that Painter can play, and is leaving it up to his star quarterback.

"It will be more up to the player than anyone else," Tiller said of whether Painter will play. "He's the guy that knows how he feels. I trust Curtis and I think he's honest. I think if he can go, he'll say he can go."

The injury is the latest setback in a season gone wrong for Painter, who has seen his draft stock drop dramatically. Once considered a first-round talent, Painter has thrown just six touchdowns with 10 interceptions.

Contrast that to last season, when he threw for 3,846 yards and 29 touchdowns and led the Boilermakers to a school record for points in a season.