Post by TheShadow on Dec 2, 2003 18:13:58 GMT -5
www.bayarea.com
HEALTH WILL DICTATE PLANS, SAFETY SAYS
By Craig Lancaster
Mercury News
Raiders free safety Rod Woodson, whose season ended last week when he went on injured reserve, conceded Monday that his future is an open question because of a left-knee injury that will require surgery.
``If I can't get the knee back to 100 percent or close to 100 percent, why come back and play?'' said Woodson, 38, who is awaiting a cartilage match from a cadaver. ``I'm not going to play like this again.''
Woodson played much of the season injured, skipping practices and taking pain-killing injections before games. On Sept. 9, he underwent surgery to clean up the meniscus in his knee. Thirteen days later, he was on the field against the Denver Broncos. He was able to hold on until last week.
``If I can get it back to where I want it, it's an option if I want to come back and play,'' said Woodson, who last month indicated that he prefers not to finish his career hurt.
Asked if he would come back with the Raiders, he at first demurred, saying, ``You have to ask the front office.'' He then acknowledged that if he is asked back, ``More than likely, I'd be back.''
Woodson is due to make $1.6 million next year, but NFL contracts are not guaranteed.
Lineup change
Lorenzo Bromell, signed by the Raiders on Nov. 18 to shore up the defense after a spate of injuries, started at right defensive end Sunday against the Broncos and will keep the job, Coach Bill Callahan said.
``We saw a lot of things in terms of his pass rush and ability to put pressure on the passer and play the point of attack well,'' Callahan said.
Injury update
Defensive tackle Sean Gilbert, another recent addition to the team, was unable to finish the game Sunday. Callahan indicated that the player had suffered a knee injury, but Gilbert said later that he hurt his groin. He had an MRI exam Monday.
``It was on a short-yardage play,'' Gilbert said. ``I made the tackle, and I felt something kind of grab. I came out, then I went back in. The play after that, it just locked up.
``It was a real sharp, sharp pain.''
HEALTH WILL DICTATE PLANS, SAFETY SAYS
By Craig Lancaster
Mercury News
Raiders free safety Rod Woodson, whose season ended last week when he went on injured reserve, conceded Monday that his future is an open question because of a left-knee injury that will require surgery.
``If I can't get the knee back to 100 percent or close to 100 percent, why come back and play?'' said Woodson, 38, who is awaiting a cartilage match from a cadaver. ``I'm not going to play like this again.''
Woodson played much of the season injured, skipping practices and taking pain-killing injections before games. On Sept. 9, he underwent surgery to clean up the meniscus in his knee. Thirteen days later, he was on the field against the Denver Broncos. He was able to hold on until last week.
``If I can get it back to where I want it, it's an option if I want to come back and play,'' said Woodson, who last month indicated that he prefers not to finish his career hurt.
Asked if he would come back with the Raiders, he at first demurred, saying, ``You have to ask the front office.'' He then acknowledged that if he is asked back, ``More than likely, I'd be back.''
Woodson is due to make $1.6 million next year, but NFL contracts are not guaranteed.
Lineup change
Lorenzo Bromell, signed by the Raiders on Nov. 18 to shore up the defense after a spate of injuries, started at right defensive end Sunday against the Broncos and will keep the job, Coach Bill Callahan said.
``We saw a lot of things in terms of his pass rush and ability to put pressure on the passer and play the point of attack well,'' Callahan said.
Injury update
Defensive tackle Sean Gilbert, another recent addition to the team, was unable to finish the game Sunday. Callahan indicated that the player had suffered a knee injury, but Gilbert said later that he hurt his groin. He had an MRI exam Monday.
``It was on a short-yardage play,'' Gilbert said. ``I made the tackle, and I felt something kind of grab. I came out, then I went back in. The play after that, it just locked up.
``It was a real sharp, sharp pain.''