Michael Turner Re-Aggraves Ankle Injury Against Jets

by Dave the Falconer on Dec 21, 2009 2:08 AM EST in Falcons News Comment 10 comments

In tomorrow's post, you'll see a note about Michael Turner that doesn't mention his injury, and that's because I'm doing it here. This is going to be a short post because I'm inarticulate with rage.

There's a question raised in the AJC about whether the Jets deliberately went after Turner's ankle. If that's the case, it's a pretty crappy thing to do, but it also raises a question of just what the hell he was doing back out there on an ankle that only took one play to re-aggravate. He's not likely to play again this season, and one could argue very fairly that he should not have come back the last two times he's tried to. As a matter of fact, I'm going to argue that right now.

It's borderline insane to trot arguably your best player out on a leg that is clearly not healed. It's even crazier when he's a running back and needs his ankle to make cuts. It's even more nuts when you consider that they had already gone through this once with Turner. Unless he's holding a shotgun to Mike Smith's head, there is absolutely no reason to keep trying to force him onto the field, no matter how badly he wants it. I honestly hope they shut him down and let him get truly healthy for 2010, instead of turning this into a chronic issue.

Your thoughts?

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turner

I do not want to see turner anywhere near the field for the last two games. I have high hopes without him for us to win out the season.Good win today d played very well vs the number one rush offence in the league. And the falcons came down and scored when they had to breaking the jets streak of possession not allowing touchdowns. And please please I want to see one screan pass in these next two games. Sometimes I feel like we dont know about that play, just give the ball to snelling up the middle was the play of choice today. Not to good.

by bhochstetler6 on Dec 21, 2009 2:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Again...

I understand your frustration, Dave. At face value, it would seem the coaches are blithering idiots for sending Turner back out.

But I believe the coaches trust the players. If the player says, “I feel good” and the coach trusts him/observes that he is good, then why not send him out there?

This league is vicious and you know that.

The time before yesterday, he rolled his ankle on some weird running play. You can’t necessarily blame his injury on that. It could play a part, sure, but who’s to say it wouldn’t have been injured if he hadn’t been previously?

Again today. People know Turner’s ankle is hurt. Of course they’re going to go after his feet. Crap like that happens all the time, and it’s a shame. The human race will do almost anything to win. Again, if it really was a cheap shot, who’s to say it wouldn’t have injured it in the first place? Or who knows whether they would have targeted his ankles in the first place?

I mean, that’s speculation and assuming all this has been purely coincidental, but I agree. I wouldn’t have sent Turner out there until there was no doubt that he was 100% better. His only carry was for 7 yards, after all. His ankle may have been fine, but all it takes is one wrong hit to re-aggravate it again.

Anywho, the last two teams of the year are not nearly as stiff of a challenge as the Jets were. I really think Turner should just rehab and take 2nd string practice reps until next year. It just isn’t worth the potential long term damage.

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on Dec 21, 2009 3:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Rec'd

You make some very good points. My only point would be that Turner is of course going to want to play, but the coaching staff has to go a little further than taking that on face value.

by Dave the Falconer on Dec 21, 2009 11:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It's a shame

if he was intentionally targeted, and he probably was I wouldn’t put that past Rex Ryans Jets

I'll Have A Matty Ice Please.

by IllHaveAMattyIcePlease on Dec 21, 2009 4:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ankles

I remember way back during Vick’s sophomore year, he claimed the bears were going for his knees. This sort of speculation is always going to happen, especially with marquee players. Take a deep breath and think about it for a minute, Turner is nearly impossible to tackle as is; if youre a defender are you going to try and hit him in his 34" thighs, or his ankles? I highly doubt the Jets were out to injure Turner, its hard enough to tackle him as it is, I doubt they decided to make it more difficult on themselves by setting a target area…

I do think it was absolutely idiotic for him to be out there at all though…

by Hamburger on Dec 21, 2009 8:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Our running backs are made of glass

and not the industrial strength high tensile stuff…more like your grandmothers best set that she’s afraid to put in the dish washer

by zooker on Dec 21, 2009 10:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

He's a football player

And he will do whatever he can to get back on the field. Its the same thing the league is dealing with when it comes to concussions. Players don’t want to sit on the sideline when they could be out helping their team. And if you’re Mike Smith trying to end a slide, your star RB could be a big help. He really shouldn’t play for the rest of the season so he can be healthy for OTAs. Snelling is pretty clutch, and I like the trio of running backs we’ll have next year.

Its true. I'm a Falcoholic! I just can't live without Falcohol!

by phoenix falcoholic on Dec 21, 2009 10:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Indefensibly stupid

If Turner makes the final judgment as to whether he plays, THAT is stoo-pit. His input is critical, but absolutely no way should his word be the ultimate authority.

Where are the team doctors in all this? Assuming they’re not incompetent, are they not being listened to, or are they rubber stamps? Either way, the team policy toward injury evaluation needs a major overhaul. if I was Arthur Blank, I would be f’ing furious about this. Heads should roll.

by tom slick on Dec 21, 2009 12:49 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd

Turner is a $34 Million investment for Blank. He needs to personally say “Shut him down – NOW”. They keep trotting him out there, and his ankle keeps getting mangled. It needs time to heal (it should’ve been 4+ weeks for the original injury).

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on Dec 21, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ankle Injuries

No matter how severe (or not severe) require proper rehab and healing. Especially a high ankle sprain, which IMO is the most painful injury.

We proved we could get a win (even an ugly one) without him. My opinion is to sit him for the rest of the season, and rehab him in the off season. If our defense can play like it did yesterday, we aren’t playing any Mannings the rest of the season, we can win out.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Dec 21, 2009 1:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs