Ankle Issues Be-Devil Pro Athletes

Ankles appear to be the “Achilles heels” for professional athletes. Or perhaps damaged ankles should be considered the final obstacle athletes must overcome to finally get back on the field.

Cam Newton, Carolina’s ProBowl quarterback, had surgery to relieve chronic pain in his left ankle and had been expected to miss four months. Now, however, he is back tossing footballs and his coach, Ron Rivers, said he would not rule out Newton’ participation in the team’s mini-camp in June. ”I wouldn’t put it past him, ” Rivera said. Newton went through warm-ups with his teammates and then played the role of cheerleader during the two-hour practice session. He did throw 10- to 20-yard passes to receivers from a stationary position.

Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith has undergone surgery to remove “loose bodies” from his right ankle and is not expected back until the start of the Seattle Seahawks’ training camp in July. Questions about Smith surfaced when Obama congratulated the Seahawks at a White House reception for winning the Super Bowl and Smith appeared for the event in a walking boot.

Smith, who started only eight regular-season games last season, had nine tackles, an interception return for a touchdown and a forced fumble in Seattle’s 43-8 win over Denver in the Super Bowl.

Deron Williams, of the Brooklyn Nets, had arthroscopic surgery to remove spurs from the front and back of his left ankle. Surgeons also removed a loose bone fragment from his right ankle. Doctors expect Williams to be on crutches for four to six weeks before rehabilitation, the Nets said in a statement. He will start light court activities in August and begin full basketball activities in September.

And then there is Giants quarterback Eli Manning who had ankle surgery about eight weeks ago. Although General Manager Jerry Reese said Manning would be “out of spring ball.” Manning showed up on the field for the scheduled Organized Team Activities and put in a full day taking snaps and doing individual drills. The Giants’ news release called this good news for the team as Manning will get a full off-season of work learning new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s system.