Sean Spence's return from ACL/LCL injury: 2 years

[CyberB0b]

Sean Spence has a similar injury to Jaylon Smith. If you watch the videos of the two, they're almost exactly the same. Both developed foot drop as a result of peroneal nerve issues.

* August 30, 2012 -- Spence suffered a torn ACL and LCL and dislocated his kneecap during the final preseason game. More devastating was the damage to his peroneal nerve.

* February, 2013 -- Nerve doctors informed the Steelers that Spence will never be the same.

* April 25, 2013 -- Linebackers coach Keith Butler, just after drafting inside linebacker Vince Williams, told reporters, "It will be miraculous if (Spence) does come back. It will be miraculous if he comes back next year."

* August 7, 2013 -- I told a re-habbing Spence that one of these days he's going to make me a great story. "I know," he said.

* October 16, 2013 -- Spence practiced for the first time since the injury, and one of his trainers called his showing "phenomenal." But Spence broke a finger and his recovery was halted.

* September 28, 2014 -- Spence will start at the mack inside linebacker position against Tampa Bay in place of injured rookie Ryan Shazier.

http://www.scout.com/nfl/steelers/story/1454887-spence-tunnel-was-dark-for-a-long-time

Obviously, no two players are alike, but I have seen people say he will be ready by July, and I just don't feel like that is the case. This is the closest example of any player having a similar injury in the NFL.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Interesting take.

I'm just not sure Smith's injury was as bad.

He (from my understanding) did not displace his knee-cap.

And the nerve was supposedly (again what I read) "elongated" and not torn.

But it is what it is and Smith will be back if/when he can.

 

[zrinkill]

Kevin Colbert says Steelers LB Sean Spence Suffered severe Peroneal Nerve Damage

instead of

Cooper says Smith’s nerve injury wasn’t in a more severe category and he has “a very good chance of the nerve recovering"

 

[CyberB0b]

Kevin Colbert says Steelers LB Sean Spence Suffered severe Peroneal Nerve Damage

instead of

Cooper says Smith’s nerve injury wasn’t in a more severe category and he has “a very good chance of the nerve recovering"

Obviously, there isn't a lot of information about the extent of the injury Spence sustained, as his happened in the preseason, and not pre draft.

 

[Vinnie2u]

I don't see the point of risking a high second rounder on a player that might recover. Well maybe if your team is loaded with talent on defense. That's not us. But that's just me.

 

[Wood]

Sean Spence has a similar injury to Jaylon Smith. If you watch the videos of the two, they're almost exactly the same. Both developed foot drop as a result of peroneal nerve issues.

* August 30, 2012 -- Spence suffered a torn ACL and LCL and dislocated his kneecap during the final preseason game. More devastating was the damage to his peroneal nerve.

* February, 2013 -- Nerve doctors informed the Steelers that Spence will never be the same.

* April 25, 2013 -- Linebackers coach Keith Butler, just after drafting inside linebacker Vince Williams, told reporters, "It will be miraculous if (Spence) does come back. It will be miraculous if he comes back next year."

* August 7, 2013 -- I told a re-habbing Spence that one of these days he's going to make me a great story. "I know," he said.

* October 16, 2013 -- Spence practiced for the first time since the injury, and one of his trainers called his showing "phenomenal." But Spence broke a finger and his recovery was halted.

* September 28, 2014 -- Spence will start at the mack inside linebacker position against Tampa Bay in place of injured rookie Ryan Shazier.

http://www.scout.com/nfl/steelers/story/1454887-spence-tunnel-was-dark-for-a-long-time

Obviously, no two players are alike, but I have seen people say he will be ready by July, and I just don't feel like that is the case. This is the closest example of any player having a similar injury in the NFL.

different grade classification of nerve injury. Spence had enlonged nerve (severe). Smith was simply stretched with no structural changes. There are no guarantees but surgeon and PT working with Smith are optimistic. You should be too until proven otherwise. I work in neurological critical care and can show you zillion cases that went well and some that didn't. One thing I have learned is that youth usually wins out but not always.

 

[zrinkill]

But that's just me.

But you are high ........ so cannot really trust your judgment.

 

[Vinnie2u]

But you are high ........ so cannot really trust your judgment.

Troll

 

[zrinkill]

Troll

See ....... you are seeing mythical creatures ....... Rampage.

 

[yimyammer]

Anyone know how he's doing/playing since getting back in the field?

 

[CyberB0b]

Anyone know how he's doing/playing since getting back in the field?

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SpenSe00.htm

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Good for Spence getting back.

His doctors said he wouldn't be back.

Still came back.

Smith's doctors say he will be back.

If anything this story should comfort people.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I don't see the point of risking a high second rounder on a player that might recover. Well maybe if your team is loaded with talent on defense. That's not us. But that's just me.

I understand the quandary.

I've gone back & forth on it.

I can see the pick. I can see choosing someone with less talent but with less risk too.

One of the factors that puts me on the side of "Yeah it was a good pick" is that you're dealing with a 32 team vacuum... And if you do everything every other team does... Well how do you expect to leapfrog over those other teams?

The "Old" Cowboys use to look for every available advantage and over time those advantages dissipated due to changes in league rules and other teams catching on to the Cowboys' ways. This pick allows Dallas to break way from the pack. A sold, yet unspectacular 2nd rounder will make some difference but if Smith comes back you're got a legit top-5 talent who can man the position for 10 years.

I like the risk.

 

[JBS]

This is a bit misleading

I just read an article talking about this exact situation...apparently Spence was ready to return after one year...but suffered another injury...separate from the knee that kept him out another year

 

[Corso]

Obviously, there isn't a lot of information about the extent of the injury Spence sustained, as his happened in the preseason, and not pre draft.

Are you just going to pound this thing into the dirt, brother?
You are harping on this subject like a tent preacher.

 

[BlindFaith]

This is a bit misleading

I just read an article talking about this exact situation...apparently Spence was ready to return after one year...but suffered another injury...separate from the knee that kept him out another year

He broke his finger. Not sure if thats the only thing that kept him out.

 

[Bluefin]

Once upon a time, whilst skiing down an icy mountain top, Fin zigged when he meant to zag, and suffered a boo boo.

3 skull fractures, snapped left femur, walloped right hip, took a helicopter ride to the hospital...

When they repaired my hip, a nerve or nerves got severed, and I was told it could take a year to regenerate. My memory was a little on the iffy side at the time, but I don't recall being told that it might not recover.

The upper thigh and glute was numb for about 4 months.

In early rehab, if I laid down on my stomach and raised my feet into the air, my right leg would "cut off" around 45 degrees and simply fall off to my right side.

It was utterly bizarre to have control of my leg up to that certain elevation and then have it go completely dead.

The nerve(s) regenerated, feeling returned, and the leg works fine.

Regarding Jaylon Smith, he said the peroneal nerve was stretched and went to sleep, he's simply waiting for it to start firing again.

It doesn't seem the nerve needs to regenerate, it just has to wake up.

That seems like a pretty sure thing, but there's a reason Smith fell out of the first round.

 

[AsthmaField]

Just for the record, I don't think Smith will play in 2016 but I think he will play in 2017 and will be pretty much back to normal.

I don't see any reason to push him back this year. Just let him rehab and get his strength back and hit the field in the OTA's in 2017.

 

[CyberB0b]

Once upon a time, whilst skiing down an icy mountain top, Fin zigged when he meant to zag, and suffered a boo boo.

3 skull fractures, snapped left femur, walloped right hip, took a helicopter ride to the hospital...

When they repaired my hip, a nerve or nerves got severed, and I was told it could take a year to regenerate. My memory was a little on the iffy side at the time, but I don't recall being told that it might not recover.

The upper thigh and glute was numb for about 4 months.

In early rehab, if I laid down on my stomach and raised my feet into the air, my right leg would "cut off" around 45 degrees and simply fall off to my right side.

It was utterly bizarre to have control of my leg up to that certain elevation and then have it go completely dead.

The nerve(s) regenerated, feeling returned, and the leg works fine.

Regarding Jaylon Smith, he said the peroneal nerve was stretched and went to sleep, he's simply waiting for it to start firing again.

It doesn't seem the nerve needs to regenerate, it just has to wake up.

That seems like a pretty sure thing, but there's a reason Smith fell out of the first round.

Ouch. Did you get back on the horse or give up skiing?

 

[AsthmaField]

That seems like a pretty sure thing, but there's a reason Smith fell out of the first round.

Yeah, and you can be sure Mara is going to get to the bottom of it!