03-21-2017, 12:55 AM
(03-20-2017, 09:03 PM)jowczarski Wrote: Yeah, he's been good to go for a while now.
(from Jan: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2017/01/23/cincinnati-bengals-2016-lost-draft-picks-william-jackson-iii-andrew-billings-returning-from-injury/96920676/)
Yes, he was getting handled a bit in the OTAs. The coaches did like what they saw in the scrimmages with the Vikings though, before the injury. There's something to be said about that (getting used to NFL power and speed, being able to hit in pads, etc.) "Just a meniscus" is right and wrong. You can totally take out a meniscus and be back in a few weeks (but that will lead to arthritis later and bone-on-bone pain). They chose to repair it, which is why he was out for the year. This gives him the best chance at a healthy knee. It's just waaaayyyyy more slow healing than a ligament reconstruction/replacement. But it could easily tear again.
He's a true rookie, having been hurt that early. Yes, they have confidence in him considering they had a higher draft grade on him than where they ended up getting him, but he will still have to win a spot in the rotation/starting gig.
Well at least we know that position is truly up for competition now that Peko is gone. May the best man win. Can he play C.
