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Harrison may need surgery before Steelers opener
Posted: Tuesday, August 14, 2012 7:
By Mike Bires [EMAIL="mbires@timesonline.com"]mbires@timesonline.com[/EMAIL]
LATROBE -- The Steelers remain confident that James Harrison will be ready for the season opener. But there is a chance he may need arthroscopic surgery on his injured knee before then.
Harrison, one of the NFL’s most dominating linebackers over the past five years, has to yet to take part in a training camp practice. He’s still on the physically unable to perform list because of an irritation behind his knee cap that causes swelling.
“With the exception of this little knee thing, James is probably healthier now that he’s been in three years,” said Bill Parise, Harrison’s agent. “He’s extremely fit. He just has to get this irritation behind his knee cap cleared up. That’s what’s causing the swelling, and (the Steelers) just want to get rid of that.
“So we might even look at doing a scope of that to get it cleaned up. We’ll just have to wait see how it plays out.”
Coach Mike Tomlin has never given any timetable about Harrison’s return to practice. Typically when asked about players on the PUP list, Tomlin says the players are being assessed week to week.
Parise thinks that Harrison may be taken off the PUP list in a week or two to see how his knee responds to practice. If the swelling continues, then arthroscopic surgery could be performed in order to allow Harrison to heal in time for the Sept. 9 opener in Denver.
“If it doesn’t respond the way everybody wants it, that sounds like the alternative,” Parise said. “We’d probably opt for that sooner than later.”
Harrison, 34, rarely missed a game in his first four years as the starting right outside linebacker. From 2007 through 2010, he only missed one game: the season finale vs. Cleveland in 2008 when he sat out with a minor hip injury.
Last year, Harrison missed four games in October due to a broken bone in his eye socket.
Harrison has been somewhat of a mystery man, though, during this camp. While Steelers who’ve been on the PUP list could be seen going through conditioning drills in one corner of the practice complex at St. Vincent College, Harrison has rarely joined them.
However, Harrison is working out in the weight room and is under constant care from the Steelers’ medical team. He is getting therapy and treatment.
“James is fine,” said Chris Carter, who’s been playing Harrison’s spot on the first-team defense since the start of camp. “You know, he does his thing. James is the consummate professional. He knows what he needs to get his body just right. I have no concerns about James.”
“He’s OK. We’re just trying to make sure that we have the player we want for the regular season,” Parise said. “Right now, James is doing all right. He’s just working through the process. If you see him, he’s probably as fit as he’s ever been. He looks great. His attitude is great. Right now, it’s just a matter of him getting that knee better.
“At this time, James is looking to play in the opener. We all think James will play in the opener.”
Harrison is one of the highest-paid Steelers ever. In 2009, he signed a six-year deal worth $51.75 million that included around $20 million in bonuses. This year, he’s making $5.565 million in base salary, which is second on the team (Tro Polamalu, $6.250 million). But Harrison is the Steelers' biggest salary cap hit this season at $9.030 million (that includes his pro-rated signing contract and bonus money).
[URL]http://www.timesonline.com/sports/local_sports/harrison-may-need-surgery-before-steelers-opener/article_4b37012b-2cbf-5430-aff5-3bee8c1e6e35.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_mediu m=twitter[/URL]
Posted: Tuesday, August 14, 2012 7:
By Mike Bires [EMAIL="mbires@timesonline.com"]mbires@timesonline.com[/EMAIL]
LATROBE -- The Steelers remain confident that James Harrison will be ready for the season opener. But there is a chance he may need arthroscopic surgery on his injured knee before then.
Harrison, one of the NFL’s most dominating linebackers over the past five years, has to yet to take part in a training camp practice. He’s still on the physically unable to perform list because of an irritation behind his knee cap that causes swelling.
“With the exception of this little knee thing, James is probably healthier now that he’s been in three years,” said Bill Parise, Harrison’s agent. “He’s extremely fit. He just has to get this irritation behind his knee cap cleared up. That’s what’s causing the swelling, and (the Steelers) just want to get rid of that.
“So we might even look at doing a scope of that to get it cleaned up. We’ll just have to wait see how it plays out.”
Coach Mike Tomlin has never given any timetable about Harrison’s return to practice. Typically when asked about players on the PUP list, Tomlin says the players are being assessed week to week.
Parise thinks that Harrison may be taken off the PUP list in a week or two to see how his knee responds to practice. If the swelling continues, then arthroscopic surgery could be performed in order to allow Harrison to heal in time for the Sept. 9 opener in Denver.
“If it doesn’t respond the way everybody wants it, that sounds like the alternative,” Parise said. “We’d probably opt for that sooner than later.”
Harrison, 34, rarely missed a game in his first four years as the starting right outside linebacker. From 2007 through 2010, he only missed one game: the season finale vs. Cleveland in 2008 when he sat out with a minor hip injury.
Last year, Harrison missed four games in October due to a broken bone in his eye socket.
Harrison has been somewhat of a mystery man, though, during this camp. While Steelers who’ve been on the PUP list could be seen going through conditioning drills in one corner of the practice complex at St. Vincent College, Harrison has rarely joined them.
However, Harrison is working out in the weight room and is under constant care from the Steelers’ medical team. He is getting therapy and treatment.
“James is fine,” said Chris Carter, who’s been playing Harrison’s spot on the first-team defense since the start of camp. “You know, he does his thing. James is the consummate professional. He knows what he needs to get his body just right. I have no concerns about James.”
“He’s OK. We’re just trying to make sure that we have the player we want for the regular season,” Parise said. “Right now, James is doing all right. He’s just working through the process. If you see him, he’s probably as fit as he’s ever been. He looks great. His attitude is great. Right now, it’s just a matter of him getting that knee better.
“At this time, James is looking to play in the opener. We all think James will play in the opener.”
Harrison is one of the highest-paid Steelers ever. In 2009, he signed a six-year deal worth $51.75 million that included around $20 million in bonuses. This year, he’s making $5.565 million in base salary, which is second on the team (Tro Polamalu, $6.250 million). But Harrison is the Steelers' biggest salary cap hit this season at $9.030 million (that includes his pro-rated signing contract and bonus money).
[URL]http://www.timesonline.com/sports/local_sports/harrison-may-need-surgery-before-steelers-opener/article_4b37012b-2cbf-5430-aff5-3bee8c1e6e35.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_mediu m=twitter[/URL]
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