Curtis Martin's Knee is Really Messed Up
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New York Jets running back Curtis Martin has been one of the most productive players in the NFL for the past decade-plus, but his body may finally be giving up on him -- even more so than it did a year ago, when he was limited to only 735 yards and a 3.3 ypc average in 12 games.
According to insider reports out of Jets camp, Martin's surgically repaired right knee is "bone-on-bone" -- meaning that he has virtually no cartilage in the knee, which was repaired arthroscopically in December. Additionally, Martin was seen walking with a "distinct limp" this past Sunday at Giants Stadium during an intrasquad scrimmage. Apparently Martin's knee is in such bad condition that the anonymous Jets insider questioned whether or not he will ever play again. "I don't know how much more they're going to get out of the guy," the insider said.
Martin has remained silent about his health since the surgery, but he addressed the rumors surrounding his knee this morning. When asked whether he plans on playing this season, he responded, "That is what I am working out for. That is why I am up here spending all of these hours rehabbing. That is why I am doing it. For me, it is about doing as much as I can to put myself in the best possible position to be at my best." Martin did not deny that his knee was bone-on-bone, however, when he was asked about it.
Martin may be the NFL's No. 4 career rusher, but his teammates are already talking about him the past tense. "He was a mainstay, he was a guy you could look to to be a professional," Jonathan Vilma said Wednesday. "That's what he still is. He's a bona fide professional and always did the job right. It's different right now in training camp not having him around."
Equally unconfident about Martin's return to 100% is Jets management. "Our starting running back on opening day may not be on the roster yet," a team official said. Among the names that have come up as possible replacements for Martin are Thomas Jones, Michael Turner, Chris Brown, and Marcel Shipp.
Source
- http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/ny-spjets08099,0,6316932.story?track=rss
- http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=62&p=2&c=555244
- http://www.rotowire.com/roto_to_gnews.htm?ID=104290&sport=nfl
Date
Wed 08/09/06, 3:49 pm EST
