In the medically-advanced present, it’s easy to take player health and recovery for granted. Injuries that were once considered career enders are often nowadays nothing more than a bump in the road. ACL tears, herniated disks, Achilles tears and compound fractures were possible death knells to a professional athlete’s career. Today, there are countless examples of recovery at the highest levels of performance.
The Cowboys have had their fair share of injuries befall their roster over recent seasons. Two seasons ago, Michael Gallup suffered a late season ACL tear. Just this past season, Tony Pollard suffered a broken fibula and significant high ankle sprain. And it wasn’t long ago, Dak Prescott endured a gruesome compound fracture to his ankle.
Once upon a time, all of these injuries would have sparked debate over their ability to play the sport again. Today, these injuries are often shrugged off, with a full recovery and timely return the expectation.
But former Cowboys cornerback, Byron Jones, just offered everyone a painful reminder not all injuries are the same and a full recovery isn’t always possible. Even for seemingly routine surgeries.
Much has changed in 8 years. Today I can’t run or jump because of my injuries sustained playing this game. DO NOT take the pills they give you. DO NOT take the injections they give you. If you absolutely must, consult an outside doctor to learn the long-term implications. https://t.co/g5TTHDQGSY
— Byron Jones (@TheByronJones) February 25, 2023
Jones, recovering from an Achilles surgery in March of 2022, was supposed to be cleared by training camp. Jones never played a snap last season and to this day claims he’s unable to run or jump.
Upon further review, Jones wasn’t the only player whose body refused to follow the script. At no point in 2022 did Gallup look properly recovered from his ACL tear. The Cowboys expected Gallup to bounce back and even elevate to a No. 2 role in 2022. It’s one of the reasons they had no qualms re-signing the injured receiver last off-season.
They conducted themselves similarly with Prescott’s injury. Assuming their franchise quarterback would recover from his season-ending ankle injury, they inked Prescott to a four-year, $160 million deal.
Thankfully, Prescott’s first year back worked out. Sadly, Gallup’s first year back did not. Every injury is different, every player is unique, and while medical science has made nearly every category of injury recoverable, not all injured players will recover.
This off-season, Dallas again faces decisions regarding some injured players. Pollard’s high ankle and broken fibula are expected to be recovered in time for training camp. Will his injury impact the Cowboys long-term negotiations with the free agent to be?
Starting right tackle Terence Steele is a pending free agent as well. Coming off a an ACL injury, he’s expected to be ready at some point in training camp. Since he’s a restricted free agent (as opposed to Pollard, who’s free agency is unrestricted) Dallas could just tender Steele and push any long-term contract decisions to 2024.
The point of it all is that while medical science has made mindboggling progress in matters of recovery, nothing is assured and worst-case scenarios need to be considered. Maybe that means pumping the breaks on a long-term deal for Pollard and Steele. Or maybe it means applying extra caution to an Odell Beckham Jr commitment.
The significance of recovery should not be taken for granted because every injury is different and every player is unique.
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