Elbrinet Dupras

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Eight days after Elbrinet Dupras left the Palmetto Ridge football field in an ambulance and was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital, the 16-year-old has returned to Naples. He was discharged from the hospital on Thursday night to return to his family's home.

"We are just so happy," said a relieved Elejean Dupras, Elbrinet's father. "The medicine seems to be working, so we are hoping they do not have to operate."

Elbrinet Dupras has a subdural hematoma, a blood clot in the brain that can be caused by a severe blow to the head.

But doctors have not yet determined the cause for Dupras' hematoma, and they aren't sure how long it had been growing inside his brain.

"Two (doctors) told me that it could be congenital," said Palmetto Ridge football coach Tim Speakman, who added that none of the doctors have been able to tell him if the hematoma is football-related or not.

Dupras collapsed at football practice on May 8 shortly after scoring a touchdown and then returning to the huddle. Speakman said he has repeatedly watched tape of that day's practice, and he did not see Dupras take a severe hit.

Dupras was first taken to Physicians Regional Medical Center-Pine Ridge Road and then taken by air ambulance to the hospital in Tampa for treatment. One day after collapsing, Dupras was off a respirator and breathing on his own.

The 5-foot-6, 180-pound Dupras started at noseguard last year and is one of two returning starters on defense. Speakman said Dupras had come to the coaching staff and wanted to play fullback.

Elejean Dupras said Elbrinet will have to return to Tampa General on Wednesday for further tests to determine if the hematoma has dissipated enough with medication or if doctors will need to operate.

Surgery would require drilling a hole in Dupras' skull and allowing the blood to drain. Elbrinet is still having problems with memory and headaches, Elejean Dupras said.

Speakman said he talked to Elbrinet this morning.

"He was very happy to be leaving the hospital. He still doesn't fully understand what's going on ... but a little bit of that (lack of lucidity) may have to do with all the medication he's on," Speakman said.

Friday was a happy day for the Palmetto Ridge football team, which plays its spring game at LaBelle on Thursday night.

"We're ecstatic," said Speakman, who told his team the news before Friday's practice. "I'm not going to kid you, this has been a tough week. It's been tough on our staff ... it has been tough on our kids."

"We all want him here -- not as a football player but we want him here as a person. We're so thankful for all the prayers of everyone in the community. I think it really did make a difference in bringing him back home."

Dupras' injury has shaken his teammates, Speakman said, adding that since last week two players have told their coach they're quitting football. Both were freshmen, players Speakman said were expected to play a lot in the future.

"(Dupras' injury) makes them all think about whether they want to continue playing football or not," Speakman said.