Forget “Return of the Jedi”… here’s something better–return of the running back. With what seems an increase of knee injuries that occurred last season, some might say its a slight medical miracle that these boys are back out on the field.
Not only did these running backs get back out on the field, but Matt Forte and Adrian Peterson scored first week touchdowns. The Bears and the Vikings are each wiping sweat off their brows after wondering if their running backs would make a full comeback.
Forte, running back for the Bears, suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain to his right knee while playing Kansas City last year. Back in 2009, he also fought through and played with a MCL sprain.
Peterson underwent reconstructive knee surgery at the end of last year after tearing his left ACL and MCL. After laying on the ground shaking from the pain, many questioned if he would be ready for the first week of the 2012-13 season. In September, Coach Leslie Fraizer was very hopeful that he would be starting against the Jacksonville Jaguars this past Sunday.
Jamaal Charles, running back for the Chiefs, and Knowshon Moreno, running back for the Broncos, also both made remarkable comebacks. Charles told the Kansas City Star back in June that, “When they let that cape off of me, I’m ready to go.” In essence, he had no doubt that he was ready to return come week 1.
Hopefully after tearing his ACL last season, Moreno’s injuries are a thing of the past. After sustaining multiple injuries since the beginning of his career, his goal is to remain healthy.
With all these injuries, there is always a great medical staff attending to them. Without the advances in the medical world and the people dedicated to healing these athletes, there would have been a lot of goodbyes during the off season.
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(Photo Credit: AP)