DC.COM: BLOG: Injuries Create a Dilemma for Players

[Cbz40]

Injuries Create a Dilemma for Players
Posted by jellis at 8/26/2008 10:19 AM CDT on truebluefanclub.com


In a week or two, Isaiah Stanback will have a choice. The Cowboys receiver dislocated his left shoulder in Friday's game, the same injury he had last season.


For now the plan is to rehab the injury, which should take another week or so, and Stanback can get on the field again. Of course he knows he'll eventuaally need surgery either way. When he comes back he'll have to play with a harness on the shoulder.


If the shoulder doesn't respond in that timeframe, though, Stanback said he would have to have season-ending surgery. That might not be a lucky break for the Cowboys, but it's in the best interest of Stanback's career and long-term health, if it happens. This is the kind of decision a player on every NFL team must make every year.


Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman has a more serious decision. He's visiting his fourth doctor to get another opinion on the double ligament tear in his knee. So far, all the doctors have suggested he have season-ending surgery - if he re-injures the knee, it will be "career threatening."


We've all heard stories of former 49ers safety Ronnie Lott's bravery - he had his pinky finger amputated during a game so he could return to the field. Says he never regretted it.


But what do you do if it's your career, or your personal health on the line?


-Josh Ellis

 

[YosemiteSam]

In War, Ronnie Lott is the type of guy you want standing beside you. Football is a game, and while it's very important to some, it's never that important.

Ronnie Lott == Great Player
Ronnie Lott also == Idiot

 

[Dawgs0916]

I tend to agree with you on that. Although some will say he did the right thing.

 

[raichledog]

In fairness, Lott didn't have his entier pinky amputated, just the tip, and it wasn't in a game in which he returned to, it was after a game and he returned a week or 2 later... still crazy, but slightly different from what was suggested.

 

[Disturbed]

Stanback is injury prone. Too bad. He should have surgery to fix this one issue for good....continually getting this area re-injured every year is probably going to shorten career (if he has one).

Stanback to IR.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Tough luck for Stanback.

He wasn't going to contribute much anyway unless someone else got hurt.