E.J. Henderson: A miracle, so far

[TZ]

MANKATO, Minn. -- This is how it happens sometimes when an NFL player suffers a serious injury.

Although healed from a medical standpoint, the player is robbed of the elite skills responsible for his original ascendance into the league. He's slower, maybe not flexible enough or runs with a hitch. Coaches recognize the slip immediately, but the player -- eternally hopeful or possibly in denial -- insists he is at full strength.

So the team puts the player back on the field and lets him see for himself what is evident to everyone else: He's done.

I must admit that scenario came to mind when the Minnesota Vikings cleared linebacker E.J. Henderson for training camp practices last month. As you recall, Henderson fractured his left femur last December in a gruesome injury that was reported to be career-threatening. Fractured femurs usually occur in car accidents and motorcycle rollovers, not football games.

It left Henderson riding a scooter around the team's practice facility last winter. Doctors implanted a permanent titanium rod in his leg. He spent six weeks in a wheelchair, used crutches for another six weeks and a cane for six weeks after that. That's no way for an NFL player to prepare for a season.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/14618/e-j-henderson-a-miracle-so-far
What a nice story. I can't help but root for my fellow Maryland Alum...Though I'm not sure I would classify this as a miracle but more as a tribute to "the wonders of modern medicine" as Henderson says...:)

[trotsky]

1. E.J. plays full on.

He doesn't know any other way. It's led to injuries for him, but no one can doubt his passion or commitment - he's fun to cheer for. However I was among the clear majority who suspected the broken femur was a career-ender. Glad to see he is back and giving it his all.