Sleuthing Jehu Chesson's Injury
Jehu Chesson had an outstanding Citrus Bowl, torching Vernon Hargreaves several times throughout the game and looking like a future Biletnikoff winner and first-round NFL pick.
But somehow, somewhere, in the course of that game, Chesson also suffered an injury that apparently still lingers nearly nine months later.
I have found the play where his injury occurs. It was on a blocking assignment, which is perhaps why it wasn't immediately obvious during or after the game.
If you watch the Citrus Bowl from 1:29:22, you'll start at Chesson's 47-yard post route catch against Hargreaves. On the very next play, Chesson lines up wide to the right and his blocking assignment is Hargreaves.
The play takes the camera away from Chesson's side of the field, but you can see him spring into his block and then do a hop.
As he comes off the field, Harbaugh looks at him and says "Cramp? Did you get a cramp?"
The broadcast then makes note of Chesson on the sideline. He's walking on two feet, but something clearly feels weird. Chesson does not take the field again after that play.
At Signing of the Stars, almost exactly one month later, Chesson was on crutches.
He was not at full strength (obviously) at the start of spring practice, and by some account did not participate at all but Harbaugh said he competed with Darboh all spring for the role of top receiver.
In March, Chesson was off crutches and in a brace fielding darts from the Juggs machine.
He still wasn't practicing at the end of March.
Then there was no news for three months.
By late July, Chesson was running routes and 100% according to Darboh, and ready for training camp according to Harbaugh. From that same MLive article:
Asked if Chesson has been a full participant in voluntary offseason 7 on 7 drills, Michigan corner Jourdan Lewis says he's been able to do some things.
"He's doing a little something," Lewis said. "He's still trying to rehab. But he's still fast, if that's what (people) are worried about. But he's going out there and running those routes with us now."
But at the August 3 Jumpman press conference, Harbaugh was noncommital about Chesson's status to begin camp.
Some educated guesses:
1. The injury was to his knee (as opposed to foot or ankle).
2. It was not a devastating, Marcus Lattimore-type injury.
3. Chesson is in the submarine.
Hopefully the prognosis is full strength by the end of the nonconference schedule, at the latest.
August 4th, 2016 at 12:38 AM ^
in other words you are guessing.
August 4th, 2016 at 12:43 AM ^
yes obviously. I just wanted a timeline
That is some fine sleuthing.
He has a boo-boo.
August 4th, 2016 at 10:31 AM ^
Don't say that, it gives me flashbacks.
later has me worried. I don't know enough about injuries and how much they linger, but if it's lingered for this long I would imagine it would linger on into the season.
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Pure speculation on my part, but I think it's quite possible that he had some cartilege damage followed by some clean up of the joint. That would account for him leaving being injured at the Citrus Bowl but not in an obvious trainwreck of the knee. It could also mean he's experiencing pain and possibly a lack of confidence in his knee. It's to that last point Harbaugh may have been alluding when he said a player can be cleared 100%, but that doesn't mean he's 100% ready for football activities.
Whatever the case may be, I certainly hope he's healthy enough to cap off his career at Michigan in real style. It has been a righteous pleasure watching him grow as a player these past few years, from the three headed Leprechaun block to his explosive speed and receiving skills. He deserves any hardware he earns at Michigan this season and hopefully, if it is his goal, to parlay all of that into a successful NFL career.
@chengelis: "UM radio says Chesson and Darboh have been cleared and are available to play if needed"
Apparently they were wrong in their on field diagnosis
https://twitter.com/chengelis/status/683030978495930368
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Given the timeline and his lengthy recovery, I would guess ACL. I have a bit of experience with this as I tore mine many years ago. Every time I see a player go down and grab his knee, I cringe as I often can tell when it is an ACL. I did not see the play where Chesson got hurt but cannot think of what else it could be with the recovery timeline he is on. Also not sure why it would be so secret if not such a significant injury like an ACL.
Assuming he did not get hit on the side of his knee, I would doubt it would be one of lateral ligaments. The ACL can often go anytime simply by just planting your foot and pushing off straight. Some ACL's are more painful than others as we seem to witness each week. Some guys need to be carted of carried off the field and some guys can walk off with just a small limp.
The ACL took 7 months to clear for practice. The knee would lock or swell on occasion though for another year. Surgeon says the repaired meniscus is the problem - and actually added to the length of the rehab process.
It could have been an ACL, but I am going with meniscus tear. The problem is confidence in the knee - you're constantly worried about reinflaming it.
Now imagine how worried and cautious you would be if there was a million dollar payday hinging on not reinjuring it?
Pure speculation on my end but I am guessing he had microfracture surgery to his knee. I have had several and it takes longer than a normal arthroscopy and less time than an ACL surgery. I have had 6 knee surgeries and the last two were arthroscopy with microfracture and it involves when the cartilage is gone and you have bone on bone. They basicaly drill into the head of the femur and the cells in the bone are released and take the place of cartilage. Numerous basketball players have had it and once they heal, they come back 100%.
Pure speculation on my end but I am guessing he had microfracture surgery to his knee. I have had several and it takes longer than a normal arthroscopy and less time than an ACL surgery. I have had 6 knee surgeries and the last two were arthroscopy with microfracture and it involves when the cartilage is gone and you have bone on bone. They basicaly drill into the head of the femur and the cells in the bone are released and take the place of cartilage. Numerous basketball players have had it and once they heal, they come back 100%.
Thanks for putting the timeline together. I am also concerned. It doesn't look good.
Kind of reminds me of Mone's injury last year in that we appear to be deep at the position, but a big loss is still a big loss. And one more injury at the position can end up sinking it.
I'm worried. I do think he will be back soon but maybe miss some game action or play limited snaps. My biggest hope is that when he is full go there are no lingering effects. He was poised to blow up this season.
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August 4th, 2016 at 10:08 AM ^
While down there with the team I watched him closely each day because the stationary bike was right next to the temporary bleachers they had set up for friends and family (to avoid heat). Every day Jehu biked for min. 30 mins, and did ground work with 45lb weights and the other injured players (I believe Shallman, and a young DB). He was wincing at times, and not once did I see him run. Which also makes me think it was surgery; with a timetable allowing additional activity and weight bearing while completing the process. (My guess is meniscus) Sam said he was going to be a full go come 9/3 when I asked him specifically.
Also Lockdown Lew mentioned in a tweet yesterday that "Jehu and Darboh damn near unstoppable" - not sure how to embeed
Submarine war tactics?!
August 7th, 2016 at 11:04 AM ^
Based on when you created your account and the lack of points you have (I know, don't mention them), I'm going to have to assume you don't post that often. However, after reading such a quality post, I'm going to have to ask that you write more frequently.
August 4th, 2016 at 10:31 AM ^
It was an MCL
...because he's a doctor.
Or maybe he stayed at a Holiday Inn Express?
this makes me more nervous that before I read it. We don't know what the injury is and it continues to linger
MCL was my guess as well; they generally don't require surgery, just rest and rehab.
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