Boy, a few years ago, that headline would have sent the entire city of New Orleans into a panic, but new techniques in microfracture surgery have really improved long-term results.
Bush is expected to be ready for June minicamps.
Reggie Bush’s knee surgery was more serious than the Saints initially indicated last month, but General Manager Mickey Loomis said the team still expects the running back to be ready for minicamp in early June.
Loomis said Bush had a microfracture procedure performed on his left knee after he was placed on injured reserve in mid-December. Bush’s injury initially was reported as a sprained medial collateral ligament, which doesn’t usually require surgery, but Coach Sean Payton indicated last week that Bush had an arthroscopic procedure performed by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala.
Loomis did not give details about the surgery, but he said it was not a “major” procedure.
There is no doubt that Bush has loads of talent, but over the last two seasons he has missed 10 games with various ailments. From a fantasy football perspective, he’s a monster in PPR leagues, but in the real NFL, his injury history and inability to consistently gain yards between the tackles have some calling him a bust. I think he’s been productive enough thus far to gain a reprieve, pending the results of this surgery. If he returns in 2009 with a 1500-yard season, he should be back on track.
Going a bit deeper into the fantasy impact of this news, Pierre Thomas suddenly looks like a darkhorse to finish in the top 10 next season. He figures to have solid value even with Bush healthy and productive, as the Saints’ offense is explosive enough to support two good fantasy RBs. If Bush is hobbled or misses anytime, he could blow up.
