Hi Folks,
I'm getting lots of mail on Thomas Jones today so I wanted to pass
this along to you.
It's interesting as the news out of Chicago appears at first glance to be mixed.
The Chicago Tribune ran a story by K.C. Johnson with the
headline : KNEE INJURY LIKELY TO SIDELINE JONES.
Mr. Johnson wrote: "The Bears issued no official word on the severity
of injuries to Thomas Jones, Ruben Brown and John Tait on Monday, but
signs don't look as promising as hoped."
The article then went on to say: "A MRI test on Jones' right knee
revealed a stretched lateral collateral ligament. The results are
being sent to noted surgeon James Andrews for a second opinion, but
it's likely Jones will miss Sunday's game against Minnesota."
However, the Chicago Sun-Times had a more optimistic take on things. A
story this morning by Brad Biggs ran with the headline: ON BRIGHT
SIDE, INJURY REPORT NOT BAD.
Mr. Biggs wrote: "An MRI revealed running back Thomas Jones, ranked
fourth in the NFC with 413 yards, has only a mild sprain in his right
knee and is day-to-day."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Interesting spin on the same story. What's this mean? It means you
have to read between the lines and know a little about knee injuries.
Both writers are describing the same thing. A "stretched lateral
collateral ligament (LCL) is the same thing as a "mild sprain".
As readers of our Footballguys Strategy Guide from this summer know, I did
a large article with my friend, Dr. David Hovis who is an orthopedic
surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine. Dr. Hovis is a Team Physician
for the U.S. Alpine Ski Team and served as Assistant Team Physician
with the Denver Broncos. As he describes, ligament sprains are graded
on a scale of 1 to 3. With 1 being a simple stretch to the ligament, 2
being a partial tear of the ligament and 3 being complete tears of the
ligament.
Grade one sprains generally do not show instability in the affected
joint. For many players, they will return to action immediately with a
grade 1 sprain. Granted, therse are subjective judgements and ligament
damage is difficult to measure exactly. But the reality is that it
appears Thomas Jones has a Grade 1 sprain of the LCL which is not an
overly serious injury.
I would be inclined to lean more toward the Sun-Times spin on this
being thankful it's only a mild sprain (which remember is the same as
a stretch) of the ligament. It's also a plus that it's the lateral
collateral ligament (LCL) as opposed to the anterior cruciate ligament
(ACL).
Bottom line: Good news it wasn't worse and expect him to be day to day.
On another angle, don't expect for Cedric Benson to immediately jump
to the starter if Jones can't go. Benson still is struggling in pass
protection and I'd expect the Bears to go with a two back rotation
with Benson and Adrian Peterson. Peterson converted a key 3rd and 19
play in the fourth quarter Sunday and seems to have the confidence of
the coaches. Said head coach Lovie Smith, "Cedric is next in the
rotation at the running back position. But I was pleased with what
Adrian Peterson did.''
Obviously, this is one we'll stay on top of for you but I wanted to
shoot this to you now.
Have a great Tuesday.
J
but they do not give mod powers to maniacs like me :( .Good factual info from the Dr. Hovis 
.
Just like Caddy "could play" last Sunday. Game prep is a lot harder when you are not exactly sure who's in the backfield for your oppenent, no matter how scary (or not) they are.
