When junior DE Justin Trattou realized that his return from a severe bicep injury he suffered in the Oct. 17 Arkansas game was dependent upon his own pain tolerance, he knew the initial diagnosis of missing four to six weeks wouldn’t hold up.

In Trattou’s mind, you only get a few chances to play during your career, and you can’t waste them. Even if it means playing in pain.
“Once I learned I didn’t need to get surgery and it was a matter of whether I’d be able to tolerate the pain or not, I knew I’d be able to play soon,’’ he said.

Trattou has missed just one game since he “tore the bicep completely off’’ his left shoulder. And aside from the Advil he occasionally needs, he plans on living with the pain until the season ends.

“It’s going to hurt for a little while,’’ he said. “When you’re in the game, with all the adrenaline, it doesn’t really affect me as much. I’m really progressing, really pushing it hard and pushing through the pain. I think pushing through the pain actually brought the range of motion and strength back faster.’’