Rob12":31bmbsfa said:
jkitsune":31bmbsfa said:
MontanaHawk05":31bmbsfa said:
The thing is, patella tendon is one of the most debilitating injuries of the season. We're talking about the recovery period of a severe ACL tear without the likely bounce-back. Think Victor Cruz.
Honestly, Graham may never be the same on a football field.
I'm going to wait until we have more information before jumping off this cliff with you.
Google this type of injury. There's plenty of examples. I'd look up Ryan Williams and Victor Cruz for starters.
Even when the tendon isn't completely shredded, it's far from a given that the player will make it back and even produce at 50 percent of what they once did.
I'm not saying he can't make it back, or won't. But he's got a huge hill to climb.
There's not 'plenty' of examples, because it's not a particularly common injury (as far as I've been able to see). The examples that do exist have not been optimistic. That being said, Tommy John surgery used to be a death sentence for a pitcher's career - nowadays, it's common for pitchers to be just as effective (sometimes even increase their velocity) afterwards. It's just the nature of evolving surgical and rehab techniques.
But yes, I agree, it is far from a given that Jimmy Graham will be able to continue to be effective. But with his size, hands, and body control, he may be able to adapt even if his athleticism takes a hit. You just don't know until you see how he performs, and given the investment they have made in him, I really doubt they will not give him every opportunity to come back and be a productive member of the team.