When Texans safety Ed Reed had surgery to repair a small labral tear in his hip recently, word was that he was expected to be recovered in time for the start of training camp.
Texans owner Bob McNair revealed a little more doubt than initially reported when he addressed Reed’s status on Monday. Tania Ganguli of the Houston Chronicle reports that McNair called Reed’s surgery a “minor procedure” while also admitting that that the safety may not be ready to get back on the field until a couple of weeks into training camp.
He wasn’t the only member of the Texans talking about Reed’s recovery from the surgery. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said that he’s got some worry about Reed’s status because he waited to have the surgery instead of having it right after last season came to a close.
“If it had been right after the season it’d have been different,” Phillips said. “There’s a little concern but the good thing about him is he’s experienced it before, he’s an experienced guy. You have no problem with him studying or knowing what you’re doing. He’s gonna spend all the time it takes off the field to get ready. I think Ed will be ready when it’s time.”
There was always going to be a little concern about the health of a safety who turns 35 in September. You never want a player to need surgery, obviously, but pushing Reed early in camp was never going to be part of the program in Houston. Absent any negative reports about Reed’s recovery, a little concern will likely remain just that.