Tag: achilles

Isaiah Foskey, Payton Turner must step up in the wake of Tanoh Kpassagnon’s injury

Tanoh Kpassagnon will miss some time with a torn Achilles. Payton Turner and Isaiah Foskey must step up during his absence:

Dennis Allen announced New Orleans Saints defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon tore his Achilles during the offseason, head coach Dennis Allen said Tuesday. Kpassagnon isn’t one of the biggest names on the Saints defensive line, but his absence will be noticed if New Orleans doesn’t get more from their young players.

Cameron Jordan, Carl Granderson and Chase Young are expected to lead the charge off the edge. There are question marks there but contributions from young draft picks like Isaiah Foskey and Payton Turner would help complete the rotation at defensive end. The Saints will want to go four-deep as they have before. That isn’t possible without someone stepping up in Kpassagnon’s place.

Kpassagnon registered the third-most pressures on the team in 2023, and tied for the fourth-most sacks. Though he may not miss the entire season, losing one of your most productive pass rushers is a tough blow. It’s even more impactful when banking on the struggling pass rush to improve this season.

It’s unclear how much time Kpassagnon miss and unknown how long he’ll need to ramp up upon his return. During that time frame, either Turner or Isaiah Foskey (or both) must step up. Both players were hampered by injury last year, the last three years in Turner’s case. Health concerns aside, at least one of those two needs to be an impactful player in at least a rotational role. The Saints may feel compelled to sign a free agent but getting more production out of one of them would be a better development in this story.

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Saints say backup RB Eno Benjamin ruptured his Achilles at training camp practice

Saints coach Dennis Allen says backup running back Eno Benjamin ruptured his Achilles at Saturday’s training camp practice:

This is brutal: New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen opened his press conference on Saturday by sharing that running back Eno Benjamin suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon at their Aug. 5 training camp practice. Benjamin will undergo further evaluations but these are simple injuries to diagnose on the field and likely season-ending.

It’s a really tough break for the backup running back. Benjamin was competing with Kirk Merritt and Ellis Merriweather to reinforce the depth chart behind Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams. NewOrleans.Football’s Brooke Kirchhofer reported from the scene, saying that Benjamin “planted to take off on a route and immediately went down. He was carted off and didn’t return to practice.”

The 24-year-old landed with New Orleans last year after bouncing around the league — he was waived by the Arizona Cardinals, claimed by the Houston Texans, then waived again before the Saints picked him up. Now he’ll have to recover from a painful injury and hope to continue his career after a delay of months if not a full year. New Orleans may look to sign a free agent running back to maintain depth through training camp.

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Saints rest Chris Olave on the final day of minicamp due to ‘Achilles inflammation’

The Saints chose to rest Chris Olave on the final day of minicamp due to Achilles inflammation. It was a well-earned respite for one of their young stars:

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One of the New Orleans Saints’ brightest young stars wasn’t practicing at the team’s final minicamp session — instead, Chris Olave was watching from the sidelines with his right ankle taped up. After practice, Saints head coach Dennis Allen described the injury as “some little Achilles inflammation” and downplayed the severity of it.

Resting Olave makes sense. He’ll have plenty of time to heal up before training camp kicks off in late July, and the Saints will need him at full strength come September’s season-opening game with the Tennessee Titans. Overworking him in June wouldn’t be good for anyone involved. They’ve also taken it easy with the other two receivers on top of the depth chart. Michael Thomas (toe) has been limited to solo work and a few positional drills while Rashid Shaheed (groin) has been held out altogether.

So this was more of a well-earned respite for one of the team’s ascending young players. Olave is carrying a lot of momentum into his second year in the pros after his impressive rookie debut, having caught everything thrown his way this spring and looking to have improved on the contested catches that challenged him last year. We’ll keep tabs on his status but it doesn’t sound like he’s expecting any limitations when the Saints regroup in a month.

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Seahawks nose tackle Al Woods dealing with sore Achilles

After leaving Sunday’s game with what was reported as a heel injury, Seattle Seahawks nose tackle Al Woods is suffering from a sore Achilles.

The Seattle Seahawks lost a defensive lineman Sunday afternoon against the Carolina Panthers when nose tackle Al Woods suffered what was believed to be a heel injury.

Woods left the game in the second quarter and was unable to return.

Coach Pete Carroll was able to provide an update on Woods’ status during his afternoon press conference on Monday.

“He has a sore Achilles today,” Carroll told reporters.” It looks like, from what we can tell, it’s somewhat of an old injury, but it’s not the Achilles rupture type of thing. He has a sore Achilles today, so we will need to see what happens, we will need to see how it goes this week.”

Woods was listed as a non-participant in Monday’s estimated practice report.

The final injury report of the week will be released Wednesday afternoon.

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Chiefs TE Jody Fortson thanks fans for support following season-ending injury

#Chiefs TE Jody Fortson took to Twitter to thank fans for support following his season-ending Achilles injury | From @EdEastonJr

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The devastating news of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Jofy Fortson suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in yesterday’s game against Washington was a downer following the impressive victory. Fortson quickly became an impact player for Kansas City’s offense this season, converting to tight end from wide receiver, making the 53-man roster out of training camp.

The injury is a blow to Fortson, who fought hard to finally make the opening week roster after coming up short in past training camps. The 25-year old emerged as a favorite target in the red zone for QB Patrick Mahomes, catching five receptions for 47 yards and two touchdowns in five weeks with the team.

Fortson, through his disappointment, tweeted out his appreciation to the fans for their support.

“Thank you all for your positive vibes and word of encouragement, said Fortson via Twitter, “love is love.”

The Buffalo, NY native also tweeted out a photo of his catch yesterday with the caption “It’s gets greater later 88” and “Kobe Mentality.”

“The one injury was Jody (Fortson),” Head Coach Andy Reid said Monday during his media availability, confirming the injury. “He does have a torn Achilles. I was sad to see that happen.”

Fortson made plenty of fans this season. His perseverance has shown in the past, and this looks to be a minor setback for a young player destined for great things. Look for him to be back with a vengeance next season, reaching even greater heights than he did this season.

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Could Olivier Vernon be a late season spark for the Browns?

Could Olivier Vernon give the Browns a push late in the season?

The Cleveland Browns start training camp next week with all kinds of excitement. For the first time since he came over along with Odell Beckham Jr. in a trade from the New York Giants two years ago, Olivier Vernon won’t be the team’s starting edge rusher across from Myles Garrett.

Vernon had an interesting two years with the Browns, putting up 12.5 sacks including nine last year. He was stout against the run and pressured the quarterback regularly. While injuries limited him to 24 out of a possible 32 games for the Browns, Vernon’s steady hand on the defensive line was helpful.

With fellow veteran Sheldon Richardson cut and Vernon a free agent, the Browns brought in Malik Jackson to help field that experience void.

Unfortunately for Vernon, his season didn’t end on a high note. Tearing his Achilles in the final game of the regular season, the almost 31-year-old has a long rehab back if he wants to play this season in the NFL.

Achilles injuries are not uncommon in pro sports, as the recent Cam Akers news shows. This kind of injury can significantly impact on a player’s ability if/when he returns to the field. Cleveland is hoping Grant Delpit can return from his Achilles tear that kept him out all of his rookie season.

Vernon is rarely active on either Twitter or social media but posted a picture of him standing back in May. Perhaps he is doing well in his rehab but one picture hardly tells the story:

 

With the addition of Takk McKinley, Jadeveon Clowney and Curtis Weaver, the Browns defensive end room has filled up but there is always room for more talent there. If Vernon is looking to return this season, and beyond, Cleveland may be the best place for him to do so.

For 2021, the Browns could benefit from a late-season jolt to the defensive line but there is little certainty he will be physically ready for Week 17 or 18 and a playoff run. If he is, a return to Cleveland could fit perfectly.

WATCH: Kwon Alexander recovering from Achilles surgery with Alvin Kamara’s trainer

Former New Orleans Saints LB Kwon Alexander is still representing the team while recovering from Achilles surgery with a noted trainer.

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Kwon Alexander is training hard to recover from his 2020 season-ending Achilles injury. The linebacker was released from his contract earlier this offseason as a salary cap casualty, but he’s still proudly wearing Saints workout gear while teaming up with Miami-based  Dr. Sharif Tabbah of Athletix Rehab & Recovery. Tabbah has worked with other former Saints players like Mark Ingram, Ted Ginn Jr., and Kiko Alonso in the past, but his most famous client is Alvin Kamara.

Tabbah’s background in physical therapy and kinesiology has made his training center a destination for older players and veterans coming off of injuries, so it makes sense for Alexander to seek him out. It might be a good sign of his progress, too. The 26-year old was shown practicing explosive lower body movements with resistance bands providing an added challenge, which will help test and strengthen his surgically-repaired Achilles tendon.

It would be great to have him back in New Orleans, though Alexander and the Saints couldn’t stay together at the $13 million price tag that came with his previous contract, which the Saints acquired in a trade with the 49ers. Alexander helped out right away by bringing much-needed range and athleticism to the middle of the New Orleans defense. He’s spoken highly of his experience with the Saints, so there’s likely some interest in bringing him back at a more realistic number.

Still, don’t anticipate any movement any time soon. Achilles recovery timelines vary for professional athletes, but it can take as long as 11 months for them to return to form. And Alexander’s injury history has to be considered: he missed a month of the 2017 season with a hamstring issue, lost his 2018 campaign to a torn ACL, and lost a chunk of the 49ers’ 2019 Super Bowl run with an injured pectoral muscle. It’s going to be tougher for him to come back after all those hurdles despite his young age. That’s not to say there isn’t reason for optimism — he’s receiving great treatment from a trainer with plenty of experience. Maybe he can surprise us.

Report: Saints fear Achilles injury for LB Kwon Alexander

NFL Network reports that the New Orleans Saints believe LB Kwon Alexander suffered an Achilles injury in Week 16’s game with the Vikings.

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This is tough to hear: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that New Orleans Saints linebacker is believed to have suffered an Achilles injury in Christmas Day’s game with the Minnesota Vikings. The Saints medical staff quickly diagnosed him with an ankle issue and signaled for a trainer’s cart to ferry him to the locker room from the onfield treatment tent.

It’s a huge loss if so. Alexander changed the Saints defense’s play speed after the team acquired him in a midseason trade with the San Francisco 49ers. While his future with the team was uncertain due to his high salary cap hits in 2021 and beyond, he had played well enough to at least earn an attempt at renegotiating that contract.

Here’s hoping this isn’t a career-threatening injury for him. Alexander is still a young player with plenty of potential, and it would be a shame to see him be unable to meet it. This is definitely a situation to monitor in the days ahead.

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Will Dissly opens up about his mindset following 2019 injury

After suffering two season-ending injuries in a row, talented Seahawks TE Will Dissly struggled with overcoming doubts about his career.

Of all of the Seattle Seahawks players, perhaps none was more excited to put on his pads in training camp this week than tight end Will Dissly.

Dissly has been through his share of struggles during his professional career. During his rookie season in 2018, he suffered a torn patellar tendon Week 4 against the Cardinals after a promising start to the year. In 2019, Dissly went down in Week 6 with an Achilles tear that he described as “crushing.”

“There was a good week or so where I was in a bad place, mentally,” Dissly admitted in Tuesday’s press conference of his post-injury mindset. “You’re isolated a lot when you get hurt, you’re removed from your team, your environment that you’re so used to. It could have been really easy for me to shut down and say that my career’s over.”

Thankfully, Dissly had a large support system around to help him battle through his mental struggles. Dissly’s Seahawks teammates were hugely involved in his journey back to the football field, as were his family and friends from back home in Bozeman, MT. “You lean on those (people) to kind of bring you up,” he said. “If you’re in a bad place, you should be able to talk about it with your friends and family.”

Dissly has been exploring the relationship between the mind and success ever since his college years at Washington, when his former coach Chris Petersen gave him a book titled “The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Disciplines into Massive Success & Happiness.” Since then, he said, he has read a lot of books about the mental aspect of life on and off of the field. “One thing I’ve learned just in the last two years is how powerful your mind is,” he explained. “My main philosophy is ‘what you look for is what you’ll find.’”

To him, it’s all about the attitude – the one thing he can control when he finds himself in a less-than-ideal situation. “It’s not just about being positive, it’s about being purposeful,” Dissly believes.

For now, that purpose is to play in – and win – Super Bowl LV.

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Report: Dez Bryant talking to clubs about a tryout, Ravens named as possibility

The former Cowboys WR has been working on his comeback; now with tryouts open again, he may get that chance with the Baltimore Ravens.

Former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant may indeed get his wish for a return to the National Football League. Cowboys fans hoping for a reunion with his former club, however, may be out of luck.

NFL insider Josina Anderson is reporting Bryant may be close to securing himself some workouts, now that the league has eased up on regulations put in place regarding free agent visits. Bryant, of course, has been lobbying hard to make a comeback after an Achilles tear ended his tenure with the New Orleans Saints after literally a matter of days. Anderson reports that Bryant is now in talks with the Baltimore Ravens “and some other teams” about an in-person tryout.

UPDATE: Bryant is confirmed to be working out for the Ravens this week, via NFL Network’s Jane Slater.

Bryant was a first-round pick for Dallas in 2010. After eight successful seasons and three Pro Bowls, he was cut prior to 2018’s training camp.

He sat out the first half of the 2018 regular season, reportedly spurning an offer to play in Cleveland. He was signed by the Saints in November of that year, but ruptured an Achilles tendon in just his second practice with the team.

After a grueling rehab that he often documented on social media, Bryant announced his desire to return to the NFL. He focused on a small handful of clubs, including his former employers in both Dallas and New Orleans.

There had been legitimate hope of Bryant returning to Dallas, with owner Jerry Jones even fanning the flames on more than one occasion. The selection of Oklahoma wideout CeeDee Lamb in the 2019 Draft threw some water on that fire. When Jones then talked Lamb into wearing Bryant’s old jersey number, the last ember seemed to be extinguished.

The league had shut down free agent visits in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but announced just last week that they were lifting those restrictions.

Coincidentally or not, Bryant tweeted the following two days after that news release:

It will be hard for many Cowboys fans to see Bryant finally suit up for another squad after so many memorable moments in Dallas. But he’s worked his tail off to even be in a position to talk realistically about a comeback, especially at a position where most players see their skills fall off the edge of a table and never return. Bryant deserves the chance to go out and prove himself, and maybe even throw up the X a few more times.

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