LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger impressed scouts yesterday, partly by being able to work out three months removed from ACL surgery.
But he said afterward that his knee shouldn’t be a problem, and anyone drafting him won’t need to stash him on the physically unable to perform list.
“I’m three months out of surgery and not in playing shape,” Mettenberger said, via Jim Kleinpeter of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “My legs are kind of tired so that’s something to expect. I’m doing everything I can to work through that and be ready for rookie camp.
“I’m not going to start the season on the PUP list. I think I showed I’m healthy enough to go through practice and compete for a job. By the time the season rolls around in September I’ll be fully healed.”
Mettenberger threw more than 120 passes yesterday (while wearing full pads, that’s a thing now apparently), enough to leave him winded after an exhausting rehab process from his Jan. 2 ACL surgery.
“I was very impressed considering when he had the surgery,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “He threw a lot of passes. I thought Cam [Cameron, the LSU offensive coordinator] did a great job of orchestrating and really putting a workout together. I thought all of these guys, the receivers, it’s as good of a workout I’ve seen in regards to the amount of throws. But to know he’s 3½ months post-surgery, that’s pretty impressive.”
He’ll have plenty of time before came to get well, and perhaps push for someone’s job, as his draft stock rises.