A Health Update On Some Key Eagles
Some key members of the Eagles are recovering from injury this offseason. Here’s what we know about where things stand with a handful of them:
DeMeco Ryans
From what Ryans has gathered, there’s no rhyme or reason as to why he has suffered two Achilles ruptures in his NFL career.
“Most of the time if somebody tears one, you normally don’t see the other one tear. It was kind of a little spooky, kind of freak accident that [the doctor] said he had never seen before,” he said.
Ryans was off the crutches and the scooter by the time the season wrapped. He says that the rehab process is following a similar trajectory as the first time around, and expects to make a full recovery once again.
“Oh yeah. I’ll be fine.”
Ryans tore his left Achilles tendon in mid-October, 2010 while with the Texans. He was cleared to return to action in mid-July, 2011, or nine months later.
God is Great!! Just left the Dr., and I’m all cleared to play this yr!!
— DeMeco Ryans (@DRyans59) July 18, 2011
Ryans participated in training camp and appeared in all 16 games in 2011. You can argue that he didn’t return to full form until the following season with the Eagles, however.
The most recent injury — this time to his right Achilles — occurred in early November. If the recovery time is similar, he could once again be looking at a training camp return. At age 30, it’s yet to be seen how the body will bounce back this time around. Ryans is schedule to make $6.8 million this season.
Todd Herremans
The 32-year-old finished the season on injured reserve following surgery to repair a torn biceps in his left arm. He said at the end of the regular season that he anticipated being 100 percent in a month’s time. If that holds true, he’ll certainly be able to participate in OTAs.
“I plan on taking my time off, getting my arm right and coming back for the offseason program,” he said. “I’m ready to roll.”
Nick Foles
Foles fractured his clavicle in the Houston game and was sidelined for the second half of the season. There were several check-ups along the way, each revealing that the bone had yet to fully heal. Foles has not had any follow-up tests on the collarbone since leaving Philadelphia for the offseason, according to a source.
He was able to participate in some practice drills down the stretch and continues to work out. The person we spoke with was unsure whether Foles’ offseason regimen would be limited in any way because of the injury, but this is something that will likely be in the rearview mirror by the time the team reconvenes.
Najee Goode
Goode was expected to be the primary backup at inside linebacker last season behind Ryans and Mychal Kendricks, but missed the entire season with a torn pectoral muscle. The 25-year-old says that he is “feeling great” and will be at full health for OTAs.
Earl Wolff
Wolff had what he described as “mini-microfracture surgery” on his right knee in November. He is hopeful that he will be back to full-speed by late April or early May. Recovery from microfracture surgery is difficult to predict and seems to vary from person to person, so I wouldn’t set those dates in stone.