Seattle Seahawks: Richard Sherman May No Longer Need Surgery
By Paul Taylor
Seattle Seahawks: Richard Sherman May No Longer Need Surgery
Seattle Seahawks fans must not know what to believe, after the Richard Sherman elbow injury saga took yet another turn. According to John Clayton of ESPN, the cornerback may no longer require any surgery whatsoever.
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As per Clayton’s report, Dr. James Andrews has apparently advised Sherman to attempt to let his left elbow heal on its own. Andrews will take another look at the 26-year old’s injury in a month’s time, to check his progress.
Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports 1 confirmed Clayton’s report. Garafolo confirmed on Twitter that: “The belief coming out of Super Bowl was Sherman needed surgery. He’s feeling better, so they’ll rehab/monitor/hope to avoid surgery.”
Sherman originally damaged a ligament after hyperextending his elbow during the second half of the Seahawks dramatic 28-22 overtime win against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game. Fortunately, the injury didn’t stop the 2011 fifth round pick playing in the Super Bowl, although Seattle were eventually defeated 28-24 by the New England Patriots.
Immediately following the Super Bowl, several reports indicated that it was possible that Sherman might need Tommy John surgery during the off-season. Pete Carroll confirmed the following day that these reports were accurate.
Oct 6, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll (R) talks with cornerback Richard Sherman (25) during the second half against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. The Seahawks won 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
At the time, the Seahawks head coach didn’t seem too concerned: “As long as Sherm doesn’t want to become a late-inning reliever and go from the left side, I think we’re going to be OK.”
Bizarrely though, a day later Carroll appeared on 710 ESPN Seattle to advise that Sherman might not require Tommy John surgery after all: “I might have been misled on the Tommy John thing. He’s not a pitcher and he’s not a left-hander.
“There’s a choice here to be made. Sherm may not have to have that kind of surgery. If he was a thrower he would, but we’ll see what happens with that one. We’ll find out.”
Given the way Sherman’s injury status has continually changed during the last few weeks, it remains to be seen whether or not he does eventually need surgery. No doubt, the Seahawks team doctors will take all necessary precautions, and do what’s best.
Of course, the main concern for fans is to wonder if the three-time First Team All-Pro will be ready for the start of next season? If the Seahawks are to have any chance of making it to a third consecutive Super Bowl, they will need Sherman back at full strength.