Mike Shanahan announced today, that Washington Redskins defensive tackle Chris Neild, has a torn ACL and will be done for the season.
After a Cinderella rookie campaign that saw the West Virginia product get drafted with the next-to-last pick in the NFL Draft, only to not only make the Redskins final 53-man roster, but make a considerable and valuable contribution in his first year. He appeared in 15 games (162 plays), registering 10 tackles, and two sacks.
The injury occurred during Monday’s practice. Coach Shanahan said today that the meniscus was thought to be okay and that it was strictly the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), but added that, “Normally it takes about six months recovery time.”
Often times in knee injuries such as this, the severity of the injury cannot be determined for weeks. Once the swelling has gone down, doctors usually have a better idea of the damage done to the ligament. Twenty years ago, ACL injuries were often career threatening, but sports medicine has advanced to the point where with proper care and rehabilitation, the player will often be ready to go by the same time next season.
That doesn’t make the road back easy, painless, or even guaranteed, but Neild will undoubtedly attack his rehab with the tenacity that he attacks the opposition’s offensive line.
Get well Truck, and we’ll see you in 2013.
Keep your chin up.
