TE James Hanna will have knee surgery

[Satchel89]

Bring back Clutts

So many people on here would be super excited to see that happen...

 

[Knotamus]

That's the best thing that could of happened for Chris Brown, as far as the Cowboys are concerned.. Brown isn't ready to compete with the loaded WR position and more than likely wouldn't have made the team. He's a developmental player though, and would have likely made another team that is thin at that position. But next year, Williams, Butler, and Street (if he's even on the team) will be up for new contracts. Dallas can stash him now and give Brown more time studying the route tree and weight room.

 

[Bowdown27]

Swaim will get his shot now but after gathers not doing anything and seems likely not to make the roster. Not good news hearing about Hanna.

 

[AbeBeta]

People are so focused on Swaim's drops. Who cares. Real question is whether he can fill Hanna's blocking role. Escobar isn't a part of the discussion, he's not and will never be a TE who has a blocking role

 

[Bullflop]

Both Swaim and possibly even Traylor are likely to benefit from Hanna's absence. They had better make the most of it while they can.
Hanna isn't expected back until late in October, according to reports. That time frame should afford them a reasonable amount of time to establish themselves, assuming it's in the cards for that to happen.

 

[speedkilz88]

I thought about this but didn't want to say it. Fish said/tweeted it.

 

[Doc50]

And rarely does any injury befall Witten, regardless of his huge number of reps.

Would be very useful to have a medical way of measuring durability, but the only semi-reliable predictor we have is past history.

 

[slick325]

I thought about this but didn't want to say it. Fish said/tweeted it.

Thanks for posting this...although Fish is 50/50 at best, microfracture surgery was the first thing I thought of due to the vague nature of the news report.

Hopefully not but sounds like some bone to bone friction or pain which could mean cartilage is worn down or gone. Pure speculation on my part and I hope it isn't the case.

 

[gimmesix]

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17315142/james-hanna-dallas-cowboys-opts-knee-surgery

OXNARD, Calif. -- Dallas Cowboys tight end James Hanna will have knee surgery that puts his availability for the Sept. 11 season opener against the New York Giants in jeopardy, according to multiple sources.

Hanna was placed on the physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp with a bone bruise. He has sought multiple opinions and has opted for the surgery.

Because the Cowboys put Hanna on the active/PUP list when camp began, he is eligible to be placed on the reserve/PUP list when the final cuts are made. If the Cowboys opt for that route, he would miss the first six games of the season and be able to return Oct. 30 against the Philadelphia Eagles.



The article also mentions a broken foot for WR Chris Brown.

I'm expecting Hanna to stay on PUP for the first 6 weeks of the season.

Well, that changes things. He'll start on reserve PUP, which means Swaim definitely makes the team. Now, it's a question of whether Gathers can progress enough to show he's also worth keeping on the 53. Right now, I'd say we start off carrying three tight ends.

 

[JohnsKey19]

People are so focused on Swaim's drops. Who cares. Real question is whether he can fill Hanna's blocking role. Escobar isn't a part of the discussion, he's not and will never be a TE who has a blocking role

This is a huge loss to the running game. Best blocking TE on the roster.

 

[slick325]

Edit of my previous post: Rob Phillips of dallascowboys.com wrote a piece saying Hanna is getting a scope done on his troublesome knee.

 

[Plankton]

Thanks for the heads up. Too bad for him. Gives Swaim an opportunity though. Maybe an in for Rico, too.

I think it's more of an in for Austin Traylor. Gathers is either a PS candidate, or not on the team, IMO.

 

[AbeBeta]

This is a huge loss to the running game. Best blocking TE on the roster.

No. That would be Witten.

 

[Jstopper]

No. That would be Witten.

No Hanna is a better blocker than Witten

 

[RS12]

I thought about this but didn't want to say it. Fish said/tweeted it.

Microfracture?

 

[speedkilz88]

Microfracture?

Too early to tell, but the circumstances are very similar. Spencer too had a bone bruise that ended up not getting better.

 

[Galian Beast]

But let's also not act like he's some rookie that we've never seen before either. He wasn't exactly dazzling last year in practice, he did play in some games and looked non-existent.

At best, he's likely a third TE in this league, which is fine, you need guys like that.

I don't think that is a fair assessment. He isn't a rookie, but he is a second year player, who was drafted in the 7th round?

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Thing is, he had to know he had pain before the physical...did he not inform the team before the physical? That was about three weeks ago, maybe even longer.....the surgery should have been done and he would be back on the field.

It's like players that wait two or three months after the season before going in for surgery...what's the point?

Surgery is almost always the last option; you always opt for allowing the issue/body to resolve itself. I'd wager good money the team/trainers/staff knew of the issue and were monitoring it. At some point you have to weigh out the cost (time spent) letting it heal on its own or taking a more aggressive approach (surgery).

 

[Plankton]

No Hanna is a better blocker than Witten

As a move blocker, or blocking as a fullback would, I agree. As an inline blocker, Witten is a better blocker. Hanna is better adjusting on the move and dealing with more mobile defenders. Witten can lock up and move larger players off the line better than Hanna.

 

[DenCWBY]

Swaim may have simply be nervous. This was his first real opportunity. He will have more, and we'll see how he deals with it. People are way too quick to toss others to the wolves.

I get it but, a pre-season game and you can't focus on 2 easy catches? What's he going to do in the regular season? Under the lights? Monday night? Playoffs, if he can't focus during a preseason game?
If he can be an effective blocker and work on his catching skills I'm ok, but I heard he's not even a good blocker.
He better get his head on straight very quickly.