Sweet Love
IBL Representative
Just heard thyis on Sirius...I had not heard anything about it, so I thought it would be worth posting.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/st...F5?OpenDocument
St. Louis Rams' Steven Jackson has offseason back surgery
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
05/05/2010
Rams Pro Bowl running back Steven Jackson underwent back surgery in early April to repair a herniated disc he suffered in late November of last season.
"It was a minor procedure," coach Steve Spagnuolo told the Post-Dispatch on Tuesday evening. "He feels great. It's really not a big deal."
But Spagnuolo did say Jackson probably would be held out of at least the start of organized team activities — the full-squad practice sessions that begin May 18 at Rams Park. "Just to be sure," Spagnuolo said.
And there's a chance Jackson could be held out of practices until the start of training camp at the end of July.
Originally, Jackson hoped that rest and rehab would help the back heal. But when the back didn't respond, he opted for surgery, which took place in California less than a month ago. The surgery removed the herniated piece of the disc.
The prognosis is good, and it's believed the surgery won't hamper his NFL career or his longevity. But back injuries are tricky, and there are obviously no guarantees.
Jackson has been at Rams Park this week doing rehab work on his back but did not respond to a text message seeking comment. One of Jackson's agents declined to comment, referring all questions on the matter to the Rams.
The surgery obviously is a sensitive subject at Rams Park, particularly given the team's inability to add a strong backup to Jackson via the draft or free agency.
The Rams brought in former Pittsburgh Steeler Willie Parker for a pre-draft visit, but he was never offered a contract and ended up signing with Washington.
Former Philadelphia Eagle Brian Westbrook took a physical in St. Louis on April 24, the last day of the draft. But Westbrook, who has knee, ankle, and concussion issues, left without a contract offer from the Rams and will take his time considering his options.
Fresno State's Ryan Mathews was the only running back known to have been brought in for a pre-draft visit by St. Louis. He was taken 12th overall in the draft by San Diego.
Detroit general manager Martin Mayhew said the Lions traded up into the first round for California running back Jahvid Best at No. 30 overall in part because he thought the Rams might select Best at No. 33 overall, or just ahead of Detroit in the second round.
At the moment, the Rams have only Kenneth Darby and Chris Ogbonnaya as returning veterans behind Jackson on the depth chart. The team did sign running backs Keith Toston of Oklahoma State and De'Maundray Woolridge of Idaho as rookie free agents after the draft, and both players took part in last weekend's rookie minicamp.
Jackson suffered his back injury in the Rams' Nov. 22 home game against Arizona last season. He said after that game that he wasn't sure if it occurred on any one specific play. Except for a handful of plays, Jackson didn't practice the rest of the season. What was originally described as back spasms turned out to be a herniated disc.
Jackson toughed it out, playing in five of the team's final six games. (He missed the Dec. 27 road game at Arizona.) Although his workload stayed high, his production dipped after the injury, although that partly could have been caused by injuries on the offensive line. Jackson averaged 103 rushing yards over his first 10 games. After the injury, he averaged 77 rushing yards a game in his final five contests.
Jackson earned his second Pro Bowl berth after finishing with 1,416 rushing yards, the sixth-highest total in franchise history and the second-best total of his career. But he chose not to participate to rest his back.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/st...F5?OpenDocument
St. Louis Rams' Steven Jackson has offseason back surgery
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
05/05/2010
Rams Pro Bowl running back Steven Jackson underwent back surgery in early April to repair a herniated disc he suffered in late November of last season.
"It was a minor procedure," coach Steve Spagnuolo told the Post-Dispatch on Tuesday evening. "He feels great. It's really not a big deal."
But Spagnuolo did say Jackson probably would be held out of at least the start of organized team activities — the full-squad practice sessions that begin May 18 at Rams Park. "Just to be sure," Spagnuolo said.
And there's a chance Jackson could be held out of practices until the start of training camp at the end of July.
Originally, Jackson hoped that rest and rehab would help the back heal. But when the back didn't respond, he opted for surgery, which took place in California less than a month ago. The surgery removed the herniated piece of the disc.
The prognosis is good, and it's believed the surgery won't hamper his NFL career or his longevity. But back injuries are tricky, and there are obviously no guarantees.
Jackson has been at Rams Park this week doing rehab work on his back but did not respond to a text message seeking comment. One of Jackson's agents declined to comment, referring all questions on the matter to the Rams.
The surgery obviously is a sensitive subject at Rams Park, particularly given the team's inability to add a strong backup to Jackson via the draft or free agency.
The Rams brought in former Pittsburgh Steeler Willie Parker for a pre-draft visit, but he was never offered a contract and ended up signing with Washington.
Former Philadelphia Eagle Brian Westbrook took a physical in St. Louis on April 24, the last day of the draft. But Westbrook, who has knee, ankle, and concussion issues, left without a contract offer from the Rams and will take his time considering his options.
Fresno State's Ryan Mathews was the only running back known to have been brought in for a pre-draft visit by St. Louis. He was taken 12th overall in the draft by San Diego.
Detroit general manager Martin Mayhew said the Lions traded up into the first round for California running back Jahvid Best at No. 30 overall in part because he thought the Rams might select Best at No. 33 overall, or just ahead of Detroit in the second round.
At the moment, the Rams have only Kenneth Darby and Chris Ogbonnaya as returning veterans behind Jackson on the depth chart. The team did sign running backs Keith Toston of Oklahoma State and De'Maundray Woolridge of Idaho as rookie free agents after the draft, and both players took part in last weekend's rookie minicamp.
Jackson suffered his back injury in the Rams' Nov. 22 home game against Arizona last season. He said after that game that he wasn't sure if it occurred on any one specific play. Except for a handful of plays, Jackson didn't practice the rest of the season. What was originally described as back spasms turned out to be a herniated disc.
Jackson toughed it out, playing in five of the team's final six games. (He missed the Dec. 27 road game at Arizona.) Although his workload stayed high, his production dipped after the injury, although that partly could have been caused by injuries on the offensive line. Jackson averaged 103 rushing yards over his first 10 games. After the injury, he averaged 77 rushing yards a game in his final five contests.
Jackson earned his second Pro Bowl berth after finishing with 1,416 rushing yards, the sixth-highest total in franchise history and the second-best total of his career. But he chose not to participate to rest his back.
In a sense, I was relieved when I heard this. This injury started bothering late in the 2009 season, around week 11 (or at least that's when the fans heard about) and it clearly hampered him on the field. A combination of pain and tentativeness. I'm always wary when athletes try to heal injuries through rest when surgery is the accepted procedure, so I'm just glad that the surgery's out of the way and he can get better. Whatever it takes for him to be 100% (or close to it) by the start of the season.
Everything I read/heard earlier in the offseason was that Jackson was working on rehabbing without surgery. I guess the no-surgery approach wasn't working.MW
In a sense, I was relieved when I heard this. This injury started bothering late in the 2009 season, around week 11 (or at least that's when the fans heard about) and it clearly hampered him on the field. A combination of pain and tentativeness. I'm always wary when athletes try to heal injuries through rest when surgery is the accepted procedure, so I'm just glad that the surgery's out of the way and he can get better. Whatever it takes for him to be 100% (or close to it) by the start of the season.
When I want a technical discussion of a sports injury, I ask one of the medical Dr.'s on staff to help me out, or in cases of nerve injuries/trauma I ask my children's godmother, Lorraine, who is a neurologist, for an explanation. Or I call up a local expert in whatever injured part of the body is in question. Over the years I've discussed/read about/observed umpteen types of injuries with the help of an assortment of medical opinions (both verbally in person and in various print/online documents) from surgeons, doctors, nurses, therapists and etc. At this point in time I'm a well-informed layperson with no formal medical training. That I have no formal medical training doesn't mean I don't have a valid opinion about a likely prognosis for NFL players suffering from any given injury. I don't have precise knowledge of Steven Jackson's situation (only he and his doctors have that), but I do know that back problems in general and herniated disks in particular are often the beginning of an ongoing regimen of palliatives (pain-killers) and week-to-week treatments (massage therapists/chiropractors/team doctor treatments) for the players so afflicted. My 
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great info!
The back is definitely a significant concern with Steven Jackson. I love the guy, he is a beast and a lot of fun to watch and I have had him on my dynasty team from day 1. He showed great heart playing through pain last year... but RBs and bad backs just scare me. Jackson is not on my team any more.If he shows he is healthy in camp and the preseason, I would feel confident in drafting him in a redraft. But the longer term risk associated with a bad back is too big a concern, imo, to invest a lot in him in a dynasty.
