Patrick Causey, Eagledelphia Writer
UPDATE (10:23 am): Bringing you an update courtesy of Dr. David J. Chao, a former NFL head team physician who also is a Sports Medical Analyst for Sirius XM Radio about Kiko Alonso's knee injury. Here is the Twitter exchange and tweets from Dr. Chao that are relevant to Alonso's recovery:
#KikoAlonso options with Grade 2 ACL sprain (partial tear) a) Time, rehab, use brace & hope for best b) Revision ACL reconstruction surgery
— David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) September 22, 2015
As you can see, surgery is not out of the question for Alonso, and given his injury history (he previously tore this acl twice), might be the best bet.
As painful as it sounds for @Eagles & #Kiko, best long-term choice for stud 25 year-old LB is to have surgery & get knee right. #BestWishes
— David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) September 22, 2015
Dr. Chao also said that if Alonso had the surgery, there would be a 95% chance at full recovery.
If Kiko Alonso @Eagles decides on ACL revision surgery: Bad news: season over Good news: 95% chance at full recovery His career is not over
— David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) September 22, 2015
I asked Dr. Chao whether that recovery percentage was impacted by Alonso having already torn this acl twice, here is his response:
.@InsdeTheHuddle @Eagles As long as cartilage spared,re-do ACL has similar outcome to 1st time.
— David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) September 22, 2015
In other words, the best bet for Alonso might be to bite the bullet and have another knee surgery. Knowing what we know about professional athletes, however, I would not be the least bite surprised if Alonso attempts to let the acl heal first through rest and rehab and give it a go before opting for surgery.
So while Alonso has not been ruled out for the season yet, it is still not out of the equation.
Already on Twitter and social media, fans are starting to question the advisability of trading away LeSean McCoy for the oft-injured Alonso. While Alonso has the potential to be a very good linebacker in this league, he cannot stay healthy.
And as much as some fans and media members decried McCoy's east-west running style after he left, it might actually be useful given that the offensive line cannot block anybody.
Well, this isn't good. Newly acquired linebacker Kiko Alonso, who has torn the acl in his left knee on two occasions, has partially torn that same acl.
Per Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News:
Kiko Alonso has a Grade II sprain – a partial tear – of his repaired left ACL, a source close to the situation said last night, which should sideline him at least a few weeks, but not for the season. And Mychal Kendricks has a mild hamstring strain.
Rumors spread like wildfire that the Philadelphia Eagles lost Alonso for the season because of the knee injury, so the news certainly could have been worse. But it is alarming that Alonso has damage to this acl again. The Eagles will likely be extra cautious bringing Alonso back to make sure that the knee is at 100%.
Once considered a position of strength, the depth of the inside linebacker position is being tested of late. Mychal Kendricks has suffered a mild hamstring strain, but reports suggest that Kendricks could suit up against the New York Jets this week.
This left the Eagles with only DeMeco Ryans and third round draft pick Jordan Hicks at inside linebacker during the loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
In an effort to shore up the inside linebacker position, the Eagles announced that they have signed Najee Goode, who they cut at the end of the preseason. The Eagles released offensive lineman Julian Vandervelde to make room for the addition of Goode.
Patrick Causey is the co-managing editor of Eagledelphia.com and can be followed on Twitter @InsdeTheHuddle
