Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner returned to the lineup today. But not for long.
Turner re-aggravated his ankle injury on his first carry when New York Jets safety Jim Leonhard hit Turner’s ankle with his helmet. After the game, Turner was left wondering whether Leonhard did it intentionally.
“I’m not in their minds so I’m not going to say what they are trying to do,” Turner said. “That’s what it looks like, but I’ve got to expect it. I was just hoping that my ankle was strong enough to take it.”
Turner was particularly disappointed to get hurt on the first play because he felt in pre-game warm-ups like his ankle was as strong as it’s been since he originally hurt it five weeks ago.
“I felt good,” Turner said. “That’s why I was out there and ready to go. I wanted to go out there and play the game, but an unfortunate situation happened.”
Turner now says he has to “start all over again” with rehabbing the ankle. But even though there are only two more games left and the Falcons are eliminated from playoff contention, he says he’s hoping his season isn’t over.