Brian Urlacher may not be the only big-name linebacker to get an unexpected surgical procedure on a balky knee before the regular season commences.
Steelers linebacker James Harrison could be getting arthroscopic surgery on his knee, according to his agent, Bill Parise.
Via Timesonline.com, Parise explained that Harrison could emerge from the Physically Unable to Perform list within the next week. Then, if the swelling in his knee continues, Harrison could have the operation in the hopes of being able to suit up and play when the Steelers face Denver in three weeks and four days.
“He’s just working through the process,” Parise said. “If you see him, he’s probably as fit as he’s ever been. He looks great. His attitude is great. Right now, it’s just a matter of him getting that knee better.”
Last time we checked, the knee is a pretty important joint. And as James gets deeper and deeper onto the wrong side of 30, his body won’t respond like it used to.
Even for a guy on the right side of 30, Parise’s timeline seems more than a little optimistic. So Harrison will start practicing less then three weeks before the opener, he’ll get surgery if the knee still swells up, and he’ll be ready to play by September 9, despite no meaningful training camp or preseason?
In the end, Parise may not want Harrison to be healthy before Week One. If he passes a physical and thereafter doesn’t get injured, the Steelers could (not will, could) decide to save $5.565 million, if they think the defense will be fine without him.