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We thought we were heading to the big game surprisingly healthy. Then this morning we found out Alex Mack has a fractured fibula, which according to Google is somewhere in his leg. Mack, of course, finished the game against the Green Bay Packers and barely missed a play. He didn’t look hurt or hobbled after coming back in.
Former team doctor for the San Diego Chargers David Chao fills us in on the specific injury.
4 reasons @alexmack55 plays
— David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) February 5, 2017
1) fibula non-weight bearing bone
2) likely avulsion/chip from high ankle injury
3) he is tough
4) it's #SB51 https://t.co/mPAWSuYHwk
Chao confirmed Ed Werder’s tweet about it being mostly a pain tolerance issue.
True!
— David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) February 5, 2017
Likely to get pain killing injection.
Accurate non-sentational reporting as always from @Edwerderespn https://t.co/2Gx8UN6lYu
We hope a quick injection can get Mack through the rest of the day. Obviously we hope to keep Ben Garland limited to defense, but he’s not a bad backup. This isn’t Peter Konz here.
Cortisone does not help on game day.
— David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) February 5, 2017
Doesn't work that fast.
Could have numbing injection.#AlexMack https://t.co/QAqoUSxnyK
We ultimately expect Mack in for most, if not all the game. Mack is a tough player, and he should be ready to give it a go in his first Super Bowl game.