MikeJordan23 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 From ESPN.com CINCINNATI -- Carson Palmer's knee injury was "devastating and potentially career-ending," involving numerous ligament tears, a shredded ligament, damaged cartilage and a dislocated kneecap, his surgeon said Thursday. Carson Palmer Quarterback Cincinnati Bengals Profile 2005 SEASON STATISTICS Att Comp Yds TD Int Rat 509 345 3731 32 12 101.1 The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback tore ligaments in his left knee when he was hit by Pittsburgh's Kimo von Oelhoffen on his first pass during the Steelers' 31-17 playoff victory Sunday. The team announced that he had torn the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments. The damage was much more extensive and severe, but Dr. Lonnie Paulos said surgery went well and Palmer could be back for the start of the season. Palmer had surgery Tuesday in Houston. Doctors used grafts from other parts of his body and donated tissue to fix the damage during an operation that lasted more than two hours. Palmer headed back to California on Thursday to do his rehabilitation. "It's not just like it was a torn ACL," Paulos said Thursday, in a phone interview from Houston. "It's a magnitude more difficult to recover from and repair. It can and has ended careers, without a doubt. "However, I feel very comfortable with Carson as an athlete and the heart that he's got. In the end, that's the bottom line. I can see the look in his eye already. He's ready to get going," he said. Paulos, an orthopedic surgeon who has worked with the U.S. Ski Team since 1983, replaced the anterior cruciate ligament, which runs through the middle of the knee and provides stability. He said the medial collateral ligament, which runs along the side of the knee, was damaged "real bad." "On a scale of one to three, it was a four," he said. "It was off the chart. It was pretty badly damaged -- shredded is the better term." The kneecap dislocated when Palmer was hit, damaging tissue around it. There was also some cartilage damage, he said. Paulos was able to repair the knee without removing pieces of cartilage or soft tissue, a good sign. "The things that were torn could be repaired," he said. "They were not torn beyond repair. So he's got all his parts in there, which is good. We're optimistic, actually." If rehabilitation goes well, Palmer could be running in a couple months and might be able to play in the first regular-season game, Paulos said. The 2006 schedule hasn't been set. Palmer has worn a protective brace on the left knee since he sprained it near the end of the 2004 season. The knee bowed inward on von Oelhoffen's hit even though Palmer was wearing the brace. "The brace didn't function well in this environment and should have done better than it did, frankly," Paulos said. The plan is for Palmer to wear more substantial braces on both knees when he returns. "No brace is perfect," Paulos said. "No brace can prevent every injury, but they do help." Paulos saw the replay of the injury and wasn't surprised at the extent of the damage it caused. Palmer has absolved von Oelhoffen, saying he didn't think the lineman was trying to hurt him. The lineman said he was trying to sack Palmer, not injure him. He wasn't penalized for the hit. Palmer made the Pro Bowl in only his second season as a starter, throwing an NFL-leading 32 touchdown passes. The club extended his contract through the 2014 season. Jon Kitna, who has been Palmer's backup and mentor the last two years, can become a free agent. Palmer's injury will force the Bengals to make sure they have another reliable quarterback on board. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Failed Bridge 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 He's a pocket QB so its not going to affect much of his game. As long as he can still get some push off of it then he'll be fine. If this was a RB it happened to then you'd probably see them out almost 2 years if not forced into retirement. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Urban Warfare 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 I don't buy this career ending stuff. Willis McGahee came back from a much worse injury. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 If any athlete tears anything in their knee, it's career threatening. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 Bengals and Palmer both need to take their time coming back. Kitna if he resigns is a solid backup, who can start the first couple games if need be next year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damaramu 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 Well that sucks. I don't like the guy but I don't wish something like this on him. It would suck if that was his career ender and on top of that it wasn't even a big hit that can go into a highlight package. A guy was blocked into him. That sucks. Why can't this stuff ever happen to the really big douchebags? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 What's so bad about Palmer? Oh, that's right he went to U-S-C. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Princess Leena Report post Posted January 13, 2006 It never happened to Rob Johnson because he got a concussion every week. Of course, they would have been easy for him to fake. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted January 13, 2006 Palmer will be back. And OMG, Johnson also went to USC. Who would have thought? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 I think it was more of a fluff statement by the doctor to keep his name out in the headlines. He's certain Carson will make a full recovery, yet on a scale of 1 to 3, he rated the severity a "4". Of course as a Bengals fan, I'm only thinking about full recovery. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damaramu 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 What's so bad about Palmer? Oh, that's right he went to U-S-C. No it was actually what he said about Adrian Peterson and Jason White on MNF. I've been touting LenDale White as someone I would want to draft and he went to USC. So you're wrong. Thanks though. Why would he use a scale of 1-3? Seems odd. Why not say "On a scale of 1-10 I'd rate it an 11!!!!" just to increase the impact. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlaskanHero 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 As a crazed Bengals fan, I'm sacrifcing small animals to the football gods, praying that Palmer returns healthy and ready for next season. That and that the football gods smite the Steelers. Damn Steelers. But seriously, Palmer should take things slowly and focus on getting better for next season. As much as I like Kitna, the guy hasn't led us to any glory (though that's not all his fault). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 What's so bad about Palmer? Oh, that's right he went to U-S-C. No it was actually what he said about Adrian Peterson and Jason White on MNF. I've been touting LenDale White as someone I would want to draft and he went to USC. So you're wrong. Thanks though. Why would he use a scale of 1-3? Seems odd. Why not say "On a scale of 1-10 I'd rate it an 11!!!!" just to increase the impact. What did he say about Peterson and White? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 What's strange is this week in my Madden season during the playoff game against the Steelers, Palmer's career was ended with a serious injury to his leg. Hopefully he'll be back and still the same guy he was before the injury. And I'm not so sure Kitna wants to come back. It sounds like he wants to be a starter full time and he knows that the chances aren't that great for him in Cinn unless Palmer's career is over. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Baron 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 How bad is this injury, like Theisman wise, or McGahee wise? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 How bad is this injury, like Theisman wise, or McGahee wise? Theisman suffered a beyond serious compound leg fracture, which is way more serious than this. That kind of injury you don't come back from, this one has a slim chance but tons more damage was done to Palmer than McGahee. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 Theisman was also like 37 when he suffered that injury. I don't know if he would of been able to comeback if he was 10 years younger. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 Theisman was also like 37 when he suffered that injury. I don't know if he would of been able to comeback if he was 10 years younger. Saw a special on it once and doctors pretty much said it was a miracle he could still walk again no matter what the age. So I don't know, it sounds like a lot more damage was done when he broke the leg than just the broken leg. I think Palmer can come back. Tons of advances have been made, it's just going to take him a long time. At least a year I'd say. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damaramu 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 What's so bad about Palmer? Oh, that's right he went to U-S-C. No it was actually what he said about Adrian Peterson and Jason White on MNF. I've been touting LenDale White as someone I would want to draft and he went to USC. So you're wrong. Thanks though. Why would he use a scale of 1-3? Seems odd. Why not say "On a scale of 1-10 I'd rate it an 11!!!!" just to increase the impact. What did he say about Peterson and White? He said that his Heisman ballot was Leinart, Bush, and Jarrett and then said something about it making him sick to see OU players getting votes. You may say "well he voted for his school" but Jason White voted Matt Leinart second on his ballot last year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 Is it possible he was playing up for the cameras? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted January 13, 2006 Or just joking around? God forbid that someone make a joke without being taken seriously. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted January 13, 2006 A cringeworthy injury to be sure. I can watch people break just about anything else without getting that sick feeling, but an eradicated leg just gets me for some reason. Can you imagine how bad that shit would hurt..getting some huge body suddenly mashed against your leg all wrong..feeling all of those things tear, and slink up your leg..fuuuuuuck. The thing about the Theismann leg explosion that really gets me is how fast the Giants linebackers get up in total shock, and start calling for medics. LT said afterwards that it almost sounded like a gun going off at the bottom of the pile. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 boo to whoever got Dama going off on yet another OU tangent! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 I'm pretty sure Harrison's injuries were comparable to Palmer's, and the main reason that his were noted as potentially career-threatening was because his age. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detox 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 At least he has youth on his side, which will definently help in the recovery process. He has already completed the first step by not holding a grudge against the opposing player, the hit looked clean enough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jwpeer 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 It's hard to even call that a hit, honestly. Kimo got blocked and his momentum from trying to reach palmer made him fall right on the joint. It sucks that it's so severe, I hope he can recover properly. As long as he can plant on the leg, he'll be able to make it back (It's not like he's much of a scrambler as previously said) I'd be more upset if I were a bengals fan as to why the brace didn't protect the leg at all, that'd be irritating me. Hopefully he'll be wearing something to give him some more support next time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 As a crazed Bengals fan, I'm sacrifcing small animals to the football gods, praying that Palmer returns healthy and ready for next season. That and that the football gods smite the Steelers. Damn Steelers. Was the room spinning when you read this news? Oh, and God has already smited Pittsbugh enough. Good thing Carson got that new contract -- hopefully the signing bonus was jacked. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kaertos 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback tore ligaments in his left knee when he was hit by Pittsburgh's Kimo von Oelhoffen on his first pass during the Steelers' 31-17 playoff victory Sunday. That should read: "Pittsburgh's Kimo von Oelhoffentore ligaments in The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback's left knee when he was hit on his first pass during the Steelers' 31-17 playoff victory Sunday." Say what you want about the hit, but Palmer didn't do anything to tear the ligaments himself, it was all Kimo. I wantched the game, and I still think the hit was, if not dirty, then certainly not legal. He was not blocked into Palmer's knee, he lunged for it. Was he trying to take him out of the game? Probably not, but he was trying hard to hit him below the waist. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 Is it just me or did a nation of Bengals fans grow on this board awfully quickly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2006 Is it just me or did a nation of Bengals fans grow on this board awfully quickly you are not alone in this train of thought. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
