This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
Dez Bryant, Julian Edelman, Sammy Watkins
Injuries in professional sports seem to occur in random patterns. However, certain sports and positions can be vulnerable to a particular injury. In baseball, pitchers are more likely to need Tommy John surgery while catchers are more prone to concussions. Basketball players are susceptible to ankle sprains.
In football, wide receivers and defensive backs tend to suffer injuries to the lower extremities, as the demands of the position require the individual to make sudden starts and stops and forceful cuts in the open field. The last few seasons one injury has grown increasingly common among this group as a high number of wideouts have suffered a fracture of the fifth metatarsal, aka a Jones fracture.
Last season, Bryant and Edelman both missed substantial time after breaking the bone situated on the outside of the foot. The fifth metatarsal is located just above the pinkie toe acting as a buffer between the bones of the toes and the assorted bones of the midfoot. The fifth metatarsal also serves as an anchor for several muscles. Unfortunately this design make the bone susceptible to fractures when the ankle is forced inward like when making a hard cut, a requisite for playing wide receiver.
Fifth metatarsal fractures are often accompanied by a complicated healing process that generally requires surgical intervention. Furthermore, the odds of re-injury and a secondary surgery are high, something Bears receiver Marquess Wilson found out first hand last week when he re-fractured the
Dez Bryant, Julian Edelman, Sammy Watkins
Injuries in professional sports seem to occur in random patterns. However, certain sports and positions can be vulnerable to a particular injury. In baseball, pitchers are more likely to need Tommy John surgery while catchers are more prone to concussions. Basketball players are susceptible to ankle sprains.
In football, wide receivers and defensive backs tend to suffer injuries to the lower extremities, as the demands of the position require the individual to make sudden starts and stops and forceful cuts in the open field. The last few seasons one injury has grown increasingly common among this group as a high number of wideouts have suffered a fracture of the fifth metatarsal, aka a Jones fracture.
Last season, Bryant and Edelman both missed substantial time after breaking the bone situated on the outside of the foot. The fifth metatarsal is located just above the pinkie toe acting as a buffer between the bones of the toes and the assorted bones of the midfoot. The fifth metatarsal also serves as an anchor for several muscles. Unfortunately this design make the bone susceptible to fractures when the ankle is forced inward like when making a hard cut, a requisite for playing wide receiver.
Fifth metatarsal fractures are often accompanied by a complicated healing process that generally requires surgical intervention. Furthermore, the odds of re-injury and a secondary surgery are high, something Bears receiver Marquess Wilson found out first hand last week when he re-fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot after missing five games last season with the same injury.
Common problems following surgery include a non-union of the fracture site or surgical hardware failure. Bone grafts are often utilized at this time to fortify the injury site and encourage a healthier, stronger union. Unfortunately it comes at the cost of prolonging the recovery process.
Timing is everything for Bryant and Edelman, who have both undergone multiple surgeries since sustaining the initial injury. In Dallas, Bryant underwent his first surgery in November before opting for a second bone graft in January. He did not partake in Dallas' team drills and was a limited participated in individual workouts. However, he hopes to begin working with quarterback Tony Romo in the weeks leading up to training camp and should be completely cleared by the beginning of camp. Look for the Cowboys to ease him back into the swing of things as they gradually build up his workload.
Edelman's timeline was a bit more drawn out as he originally went under the knife in mid-November but waited until April to opt for a second procedure. As a result, he is more likely to miss the early stages of training camp as New England slow plays his recovery.
Despite the complexity of their situations, expect both Edelman and Bryant to perform at high levels this season. The injuries may actual benefit fantasy owners, as they may be able to be had at a slightly discounted price.
I'm a tad less optimistic for Watkins given when the injury occurred and the looming risk of a second procedure. Watkins suffered his fifth metatarsal fracture in April and only recently shed his protective walking boot. If he does avoid setbacks or complications he has a chance to be a relevant fantasy weapon, particularly late in the season. However, don't be surprised if he comes out of the gate slowly as Buffalo conservatively manages his return to play.
Le'Veon Bell
Physically, it looks as though Pittsburgh will have its All-Pro running back available at the start of training camp. Bell has posted multiple videos on social media highlighting his speed and mobility, seven months after undergoing surgery to repair tears to his medial collateral ligament (MCL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). With his body improving, he's turned his focus to the mental aspect of rehab.
Mentally, though, might be a different story. It might sound silly, but often the mental hurdles of a prolonged recovery take longer to overcome than the physical aspects. Fear of re-injury can change an individual's approach to the game and alter his style of play.
Instead of shying away from the issue Bell has reportedly reached out to other elite running backs, including Adrian Peterson and Todd Gurley, who have bounced back following devastating knee injuries. If Bell continues to improve in both phases of recovery he could return as one of the top running backs available in drafts. His injury history will elevate his level of risk, but he remains a top-10 selection.
Turf Burns
Jimmy Graham: Despite growing optimism from coach Pete Carroll, the odds Graham is ready for the start of the regular season seem long. Graham is recovering from a ruptured patellar tendon sustained in late November. This type of injury has lengthy precedent of limiting players in their first year back and multiple players, including Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz, have struggled to return to their previous level of play. Even if he does return ahead of schedule, Graham will have to perform routine maintenance on the area and could be vulnerable to injuries elsewhere on his lower extremities. Tread cautiously and closely monitor his availability throughout camp.
Breshad Perriman: The Ravens' wide receiver is still waiting to begin his professional career after a PCL injury in his right knee wiped out his rookie season. It looks like he could be forced to wait some more after sustaining a knee injury on his opposite leg during OTAs. Dr. James Andrews examined the joint arthroscopically and determined a reconstruction was not necessary. Instead, Perriman received a stem-cell injection in the injury site designed to simulate the healing process. However, the latest setback leaves Perriman without a healthy leg to stand on, and heavily investing in him at this point seems unwise.
Tony Romo: After a lost season in Dallas, Romo is looking to bounce back in 2016. He underwent offseason surgery to relieve the long-term symptoms attributed to his previously fractured collarbone. The former Pro Bowler was active in OTAs and was reportedly moving unencumbered. While his style of play does lend itself to injury, he could be worth a look for fantasy owners who address quarterback later in drafts.
