Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis has torn his right ACL twice in the last seven months, but the team is still hopeful that he’ll be able to play this season.
Rather than place Davis on injured reserve, NFL.com’s Jason La Canfora reports that the Panthers will move him to the Physically Unable to Perform list. PUP would make Davis ineligible for the first six games of the season, and give the Panthers a three-week window thereafter to decide whether he’s healthy enough to resume playing.
Though the odds of Davis stepping onto the field for a regular season game in 2010 seem long, the player’s camp isn’t opposed to the idea.
“The only thing I can say is if there is one person that can rehab again and do the whole thing over,” said Davis’ agent, Todd France, “he’s the one who has the right attitude and work ethic to do it.”
France also indicated that Davis has received positive feedback after checkup with Dr. James Andrews. “He said there’s no big picture issue, which is a great thing to hear,” said France.
Davis is expected to have the ACL re-repaired shortly. It sounds like he is targeting a return in late October to early November, which gives Davis 4-5 months to recover.
We wouldn’t bet on him making it back.